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COFYRIC.HT DKHOSIT. 



LEGENDS 



CHARLEMAGNE 



ROMANCE OF THE MIDDLE AGES 



BY 

THOMAS BULFINCH 

Author of "The Age of Fable,'' '•'The Age of Chivalry," etc. 



" How Agrican with all his northern powers 
Besieged Albracca, as romances tell; 
The city of Galaphron, from thence to win 
The fairest of her sex, Angelica, 
His daughter, loved of many prowest knights, 
Both piyn'm, and the peers of CharlenaiT " ' ' 



NEW YORK 

THOMAS Y. CROWELL & CO. 

PUBLISHERS 



^^fs 



THE LIBRARY OF 


CONGRESS, 


Two CowES Received 


lUL. 12 1901 


Copyright entry 


JU^ yi.,t9of 


CLASS <^ XXe. N». 


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COPY B. 



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Copyright, 1901, 
By Thomas Y. Crowell & Company. 



PREFACE. 



Besides the education which schools and colleges 
impart, there is still another kind necessary to com- 
pleteness. It is that which has for its object a knowl- 
edge of polite literature. In the intercourse of polished 
society a young person will more frequently need an 
acquaintance with the creations of fancy than with the 
discoveries of science or the speculations of philosophy. 

In an age when intellectual darkness enveloped 
Western Europe, a constellation of brilliant writers 
arose in Italy. Of these, Pulci (born in 143 1), 
Boiardo (1434), and Ariosto (1474) took for their 
subjects the romantic fables which had for many ages 
been transmitted in the lays of bards and the legends 
of monkish chroniclers. These fables they arranged 
in order, adorned with the embellishments of fancy, 
amplified from their own invention, and stamped with 
immortality. It may safely be asserted that as long 
as civilization shall endure these productions will re- 
tain their place among the most cherished creations of 
human genius. 

In two previous works, ^' The Age of Fable " and 
^^ The Age of Chivalry," the author of this volume 
has endeavored to supply to the modern reader such 
knowledge of the fables of classical and mediaeval litera- 
ture as is needed to render intelligible the allusions 

(Hi) 



iv PREFACE. 

which occur in reading and conversation. This volume 
is intended to carry out the same design. Like its 
predecessors, it aspires to a higher character than that 
of a work of mere amusement. It claims to be useful, 
in acquainting its readers with the subjects of the works 
of the great poets of Italy. Some knowledge of these 
is expected of every well-educated young person. 

In reading these romances, we cannot fail to observe 
how the primitive inventions have been used, again and 
again, by successive generations of fabulists. The 
Siren of Ulysses is the prototype of the Siren of Or- 
lando, and the character of Circe reappears in Alcina. 
The fountains of Love and Hatred may be traced to 
the story of Cupid and Psyche ; and similar effects 
produced by a magic draught appear in the tale of 
Tristram and Isoude, and, substituting a flower for 
the draught, in Shakespeare's ** Midsummer Night's 
Dream." There are many other instances of the 
same kind which the reader will recognize without our 
assistance. 

The sources whence we derive these stories are, 
first, the Italian poets named above ; next, the ^* Ro- 
mans de Chevalerie " of the Comte de Tressan ; 
lastly, certain German collections of popular tales. 
Some chapters have been borrowed from Leigh Hunt's 
Translations from the Italian Poets. It seemed unnec- 
essary to do over again what he had already done so 
well ; yet, on the other hand, those stories could not 
be omitted from the series without leaving it incom- 
plete. 



CONTENTS. 



Page 

Introduction .... vii 

The Peers, or Paladins i 

The Tournament ii 

The Siege of Albracca 22 

Adventures of Rinaldo and Orlando 35 

The Invasion of France , 47 

The Invasion of France. {Continued.^ .... 58 

Bradamante and Rogero 70 

Astolpho and the Enchantress 82 

The Ore 95 

Astolpho' s Adventures continued, and Isabella's 

begun . . . ' 104 

Medoro 112 

Orlando Mad 121 

Zerbino and Isabella 131 

Astolpho in Abyssinia 142 

The War in Africa 152 

Rogero and Bradamante 166 

The Battle of Roncesvalles 182 

Rinaldo and Bayard 198 

Death of Rinaldo 205 

Huon of Bordeaux . 212 

Huon of Bordeaux. {Continued.^ . . . . . 220 

Huon of Bordeaux. {Continued.^ 233 

Ogier, the Dane „ . . 241 

Ogier, the Dane. {Continued.^ • 252 

Ogier, the Dane. (^Continued. ^ 260 

(v) 



INTRODUCTION. 



Those who have investigated the origin of the 
romantic fables relating to Charlemagne and his peers 
are of opinion that the deeds of Charles Martel, and 
perhaps of other Charleses, have been blended in pop- 
ular tradition with those properly belonging to Charle- 
magne. It was indeed a most momentous era ; and 
if our readers will have patience, before entering on 
the perusal of the fabulous annals which we are about 
to lay before them, to take a rapid survey of the real 
history of the times, they will find it hardly less 
romantic than the tales of the poets. 

In the century beginning from the year 600,, the 
countries bordering upon the native land of our 
Saviour, to the east and south, had not yet received 
his religion. Arabia was the seat of an idolatrous 
rehgion resembling that of the ancient Persians, who 
worshipped the sun, moon, and stars. In Mecca, in 
the year 571, Mahomet was born, and here, at the 
age of forty, he proclaimed himself the prophet of 
God, in dignity as superior to Christ as Christ had 
been to Moses. Having obtained by slow degrees a 
considerable number of disciples, he resorted to arms 
to diffuse his religion. The energy and zeal of his 
followers, aided by the weakness of the neighboring 
nations, enabled him and his successors to spread the 

(vii) 



viii INTRODUCTION. 

sway of Arabia and the religion of Mahornet over the 
countries to the east as far as the Indus, northward 
over Persia and Asia Minor, westward over Egypt 
and the southern shores of the Mediterranean, and 
thence over the principal portion of Spain. All this 
was done within one hundred years from the Hegira, 
or flight of Mahomet from Mecca to Medina, which 
happened in the year 622, and is the era from which 
Mahometans reckon time, as we do from the birth of 
Christ. 

From Spain the v^ay was open for the Saracens (so 
the followers of Mahomet were called) into France, 
the conquest of which, if achieved, would have been 
followed very probably by that of all the rest of 
Europe, and would have resulted in the banishment 
of Christianity from the earth. For Christianity was 
not at that day universally professed, even by those 
nations which we now regard as foremost in civiliza- 
tion. Great part of Germany, Britain, Denmark, 
and Russia were still pagan or barbarous. 

At that time there ruled in France, though without 
the title of king, the first of those illustrious Charleses 
of whom we have spoken, Charles Martel, the grand- 
father of Charlemagne. The Saracens of Spain had 
made incursions into France in 712 and 718, and 
had retired, carrying with them a vast booty. In 
725, Anbessa, who was then the Saracen governor of 
Spain, crossed the Pyrenees with a numerous army, 
and took by storm the strong town of Carcassone. So 
great was the terror excited by this invasion, that the 
•country for a wide extent submitted to the conqueror, 
and a Mahometan governor for the province was 
appointed and installed at Narbonne. Anbessa, how- 
ever, received a fatal wound in one of his engagements. 



INTRODUCTION. ix 

and the Saracens, being thus checked from further 
advance, retired to Narbonne. 

In 732 the Saracens again invaded France under 
Abdalrahman, advanced rapidly to the banks of the 
Garonne, and laid siege to Bordeaux. The city w^as 
taken by assault and delivered up to the soldiery. The 
invaders still pressed forward, and spread over the 
territories of Orleans, Auxerre, and Sens. Their 
advanced parties were suddenly called in by their 
chief, who had received information of the rich abbey 
of St. Martin of Tours, and resolved to plunder and 
destroy it. 

Charles during all this time had done nothing to 
oppose the Saracens, for the reason that the portion 
of France over which their incursions had been made 
was not at that time under his dominion, but consti- 
tuted an independent kingdom, under the name of 
Aquitaine, of which Eude was king. But now 
Charles became convinced of the danger, and pre- 
pared to encounter it. Abdalrahman was advancing 
toward Tours, when intelligence of the approach of 
Charles, at the head of an army of Franks, compelled 
him to fall back upon Poitiers, in order to seize an 
advantageous field of battle. 

Charles Martel had called together his warriors 
from every part of his dominions, and, at the head of 
such an army as had hardly ever been seen in France, 
crossed the Loire, probably at Orleans, and, being 
joined by the remains of the army of Aquitaine, came 
in sight of the Arabs in the month of October, 732. 
The Saracens seem to have been aware of the terrible 
enemy they were now to encounter, and for the first 
time these formidable conquerors hesitated. The two 
armies remained in presence daring seven days before 



X INTRODUCTION. 

either ventured to begin the attack ; but at length the 
signal for battle was given by Abdalrahman, and the 
immense mass of the Saracen army rushed with fury 
on the Franks. But the heavy hne of the Northern 
warriors remained like a rock, and the Saracens, dur- 
ing nearly the whole day, expended their strength in 
vain attempts to make any impression upon them. 
At length, about four o'clock in the afternoon, when 
Abdalrahman was preparing for a new and desperate 
attempt to break the hne of the Franks, a. terrible 
clamor was heard in the rear of the Saracens. It was 
King Eude, who, with his Aquitanians, had attacked 
their camp, and a great part of the Saracen army 
rushed tumultuously from the field to protect their 
plunder. In this moment of confusion the line of the 
Franks advanced, and, sweeping the field before it, 
carried fearful slaughter amongst the enemy. Abdal- 
rahman made desperate efforts to rally his troops, but 
when he himself, with the bravest of his officers, fell 
beneath the swords of the Christians, all order dis- 
appeared, and the remains of his army sought refuge in 
their immense camp, from which Eude and his Aqui- 
tanians had been repulsed. It was now late, and 
Charles, unwilHng to risk an attack on the camp in the 
dark, withdrew his army, and passed the night in the 
plain, expecting to renew the battle in the morning. 

Accordingly, when daylight came, the Franks drew 
up in order of battle, but no enemy appeared ; and 
when at last they ventured to approach the Saracen 
camp they found it empty. The invaders had taken 
advantage of the night to begin their retreat, and were 
already on their way back to Spain, leaving their im- 
mense plunder behind to fall into the hands of the 
Franks. 



INTRODUCTION. xi 

This was the celebrated battle of Tours, in which 
vast numbers of the Saracens were slain, and only fif- 
teen hundred of the Franks. Charles received the 
surname of Martel (the Hammer) in consequence of 
this victory. 

The Saracens, notwithstanding this severe blow, 
continued to hold their ground in the south of France ; 
but Pepin, the son of Charles Martel, who succeeded 
to his father's power, and assumed the title of king, 
successively took from them the strong places they 
held ; and in 759, by the capture of Narbonne, their 
capital, extinguished the remains of their power in 
France. 

Charlemagne, or Charles the Great, succeeded his 
father, Pepin, on the throne in the year 768. This 
prince, though the hero of numerous romantic legends, 
appears greater in history than in fiction. Whether we 
regard him as a warrior or as a legislator, as a patron 
of learning or as the civilizer of a barbarous nation, he 
is entitled to our warmest admiration. Such he is in 
history ; but the romancers represent him as often 
weak and passionate, the victim of treacherous coun- 
sellors, and at the mercy of turbulent barons, on whose 
prowess he depends for the maintenance of his throne. 
The historical representation is doubtless the true one, 
for it is handed down in trustworthy records, and is 
confirmed by the events of the age. At the height of 
his power, the French empire extended over what we 
now call France, Germany, Switzerland, Holland, 
Belgium, and great part of Italy. 

In the year 800 Charlemagne, being in' Rome, 
whither he had gone with a numerous army to pro- 
tect the Pope, was crowned by the Pontiff Emperor 
of the West. On Christmas day Charles entered the 



xii INTRODUCTION. 

Church of St. Peter, as if merely to take his part in 
the celebration of the mass with the rest of the con- 
gregation. When he approached the altar and stooped 
in the act of prayer the Pope stepped forward and 
placed a crown of gold upon his head ; and immedi- 
ately the Roman people shouted, ^^Life and victory to 
Charles the August, crowned by God the great and 
pacific Emperor of the Romans." The Pope then 
prostrated himself before him, and paid him reverence, 
according to the custom established in the times of the 
ancient Emperors, and concluded the ceremony by 
anointing him with consecrated oil. 

Charlemagne's wars were chiefly against the pagan 
and barbarous people, who, under the name of Saxons, 
inhabited the countries now called Hanover and Hol- 
land. He also led expeditions against the Saracens of 
Spain ; but his wars with the Saracens were not car- 
ried on, as the romances assert, in France, but on the 
soil of Spain. He entered Spain by the Eastern Pyre- 
nees, and made an easy conquest of Barcelona and 
Pampeluna. But Saragossa refused to open her gates 
to him, and Charles ended by negotiating and accept- 
ing a vast sum of gold as the price of his return over 
the Pyrenees. 

On his way back, he marched with his whole army 
through the gorges of the mountains by way of the 
valleys of Engui, Eno, and Roncesvalles. The chief 
of this region had waited upon Charlemagne, on his 
advance, as a faithful vassal of the monarchy ; but now, 
on the return of the Franks, he had called together all 
the wild mountaineers who acknowledged him as their 
chief, and they occupied the heights of the mountains 
under which the army had to pass. The main body 
of the troops met with no obstruction, and received no 



INTRODUCTION. xiii 

intimation of danger ; but the rear-guard, which was 
considerably behind, and encumbered with its plunder, 
was overwhelmed by the mountaineers in the pass of 
Roncesvalles, and slain to a man. Some of the brav- 
est of the Prankish chiefs perished on this occasion, 
among whom is mentioned Roland or Orlando, gov- 
ernor of the marches or frontier of Brittany. His 
name became famous in after times, and the disaster of 
Roncesvalles and death of Roland became eventually 
the most celebrated episode in the vast cycle of ro- 
mance. 

Though after this there were hostile encounters 
between the armies of Charlemagne and the Saracens, 
they were of small account, and generally on the soil 
of Spain. Thus the historical foundation for the sto- 
ries of the romancers is but scanty, unless we suppose 
the events of an earlier and of a later age to be incor- 
porated with those of Charlemagne's own time. 

There is, however, a pretended history, w^hich for 
a long time was admitted as authentic, and attributed 
to Turpin, Archbishop of Rheims, a real personage of 
the time of Charlemagne. Its title is *^ History of 
Charles the Great and Orlando." It is now unhesi- 
tatingly considered as a collection of popular traditions, 
produced by some credulous and unscrupulous monk, 
who thought to give dignity to his romance by ascrib- 
ing its authorship to a well-known and eminent indi- 
vidual. It introduces its pretended author. Bishop 
Turpin, in this manner : 

'^Turpin, Archbishop of Rheims, the friend and 
secretary of Charles the Great, excellently skilled in 
sacred and profane ^literature, of a genius equally 
adapted to prose and verse, the advocate of the poor, 
beloved of God in his life and conversation, who often 



XIV INTRODUCTION. 

fought the Saracens, hand to hand, by the Emperor's 
side, he relates the acts of Charles the Great in one 
book, and flourished under Charles and his son Louis, 
to the year of our Lord eight hundred and thirty." 

The titles of some of Archbishop Turpin's chapters 
will show the nature of his history. They are these : 
^^ Of the Walls of Pampeluna, that fell of themselves. ' ' 
^/ Of the War of the holy Facundus, where the Spears 
grew." (Certain of the Christians fixed their spears, 
in the evening, erect in the ground, before the castle ; 
and found them, in the morning, covered with bark 
and branches.) ^^ How the Sun stood still for Three 
Days, and of the Slaughter of Four Thousand Sara- 
cens." 

Turpin' s history has perhaps been the source of the 
marvellous adventures which succeeding poets and 
romancers have accumulated around the names of 
Charlemagne and his Paladins, or Peers. But Ariosto 
and the other Italian poets have drawn from different 
sources, and doubtless often from their own invention, 
numberless other stories which they attribute to the 
same heroes, not hesitating to quote as their authority 
*^ the good Turpin," though his history contains no 
trace of them ; and the more outrageous the im- 
probability, or rather the impossibility, of their narra- 
tions, the more attentive are they to cite ^' the Arch- 
bishop," generally adding their testimonial to his 
unquestionable veracity. 

The principal Italian poets who have sung the ad- 
ventures of the peers of Charlemagne are Pulci, Boi- 
ardo, and Ariosto. The characters of Orlando, 
Rinaldo, Astolpho, Gano, and others, are the same in 
all, though the adventures attributed to them are differ- 
ent. Boiardo tells us of the loves of Orlando, Ariosto 



INTRODUCTION. xv 

of his disappointment and consequent madness, Pulci 
of his death. 

Ogier, the Dane, is a real personage. History 
agrees with romance in representing him as a powerful 
lord who, originally from Denmark and a Pagan, em- 
braced Christianity, and took service under Charle- 
magne. He revolted from the Emperor, and was 
driven into exile. He afterwards led one of those 
bands of piratical Northmen which ravaged France 
under the reigns of Charlemagne's degenerate success- 
ors. The description which an ancient chronicler 
gives of Charlemagne, as described by Ogier, is so 
picturesque, that we are tempted to transcribe it. 
Charlemagne was advancing to the siege of Pavia. 
Didier, King of the Lombards, was in the city with 
Ogier, to whom he had given refoge. When they 
learned that the king was approaching they mounted 
a high tower, whence they could see far and wide 
over the country. *^ They first saw advancing the 
engines of war, fit for the armies of Darius or Julius 
Caesar. ^ There is Charlemagne,' said Didier. 

* No,' said Ogier. The Lombard next saw a vast 
body of soldiers, who filled all the plam. ^ Certainly 
Charles advanced with that host,' said the king. 

* Not yet, ' replied Ogier. ^ What hope for us, ' re- 
sumed the king, ' if he brings with him a greater host 
than that ? ' At last Charles appeared, his head cov- 
ered with an iron helmet, his hands with iron gloves, 
his breast and shoulders with a cuirass of iron, his left 
hand holding an iron lance, while his right hand 
grasped his sword. Those who went before the mon- 
arch, those who marched at his side, and those who 
followed him, all had similar arms. Iron covered the 
fields and the roads ; iron points reflected the ray? of 



XVI INTRODUCTION. 

the sun. This iron, so hard, was borne by a people 
whose hearts were harder still. The blaze of the 
weapons flashed terror into the streets of the city." 

This picture of Charlemagne in his military aspect 
would be incomplete without a corresponding one of 
his ^^mood of peace." One of the greatest of mod- 
ern historians, M. Guizot, has compared the glory of 
Charlemagne to a brilliant meteor, rising suddenly out 
of the darkness of barbarism to disappear no less sud- 
denly in the darkness of feudalism. But the light of 
this meteor was not extinguished, and reviving civiH- 
zation owed much that was permanently beneficial to 
the great Emperor of the Franks. His ruling hand is 
seen in the legislation of his time, as well as in the 
administration of the laws. He encouraged learning ; 
he upheld the clergy, who were the only peaceful and 
intellectual class, against the encroaching and turbulent 
barons ; he was an affectionate father, and watched 
carefully over the education of his children, both sons 
and daughters. Of his encouragement of learning we 
will give some particulars. 

He caused learned men to be brought from Italy 
and from other foreign countries to revive the pubhc 
schools of France, which had been prostrated by the 
disorders of preceding times. He recompensed these 
learned men liberally, and kept some of them near 
himself, honoring them with his friendship. Of these 
the most celebrated is Alcuin, an Englishman, whose 
writings still remain, and prove him to have been both 
a learned and a wise man. With the assistance of 
Alcuin, and others like him, he founded an academy 
or royal school, which should have the direction of the 
studies of all the schools of the kingdom. Charle- 
magne himself was a member of this academy on equal 



INTRODUCTION. xvii 

terms with the rest. He attended its meetings, and . 
fulfilled all the duties of an academician. Each mem- 
ber took the name of some famous man of antiquity. 
Alcuin called himself Horace, another took the name 
of Augustin, a third of Pindar. Charlemagne, who 
knew the Psalms by heart, and who had an ambition 
to be, according to his conception, a king after God' s 
own hearty received from his brother academicians the 
name of David. 

Of the respect entertained for him by foreign nations 
an interesting proof is aiForded in the embassy sent to 
him by the Caliph of the Arabians, the celebrated 
Haroun al Raschid, a prince in character and conduct 
not unlike to Charlemagne, The ambassadors brought 
with them, besides other rich presents, a clock, the 
first that was seen in Europe, which excited universal 
admiration. It had the form of a twelve-sided edifice 
with twelve doors. These doors formed niches, in 
each of which was a little statue representing one of 
the hours. At the striking of the hour the doors, one 
for each stroke, were seen to open, and from the 
doors to issue as many of the little statues, which, fol- 
lowing one another, marched gravely round the tower. 
The motion of the clock was caused by water, and 
the striking was eiFected by balls of brass equal to the 
number of the hours, which fell upon a cymbal of the 
same metal, the number falling being determined by 
the discharge of the water, which, as it sunk in the 
vessel, allowed their escape. 

Charlemagne was succeeded by his son Louis, a 
well-intentioned but feeble prince, in whose reign the 
fabric reared by Charles began rapidly to crumble. 
Louis was followed successively by two Charleses, 
incapable princes, whose weak and often tyrannical 



xviii INTRODUCTION. 

conduct is no doubt the source of incidents of that 
character ascribed in the romances to Charlemagne. 

The lawless and disobedient deportment of Charles's 
paladins, instances of which are so frequent in the 
romantic legends, was also a trait of the declining 
empire, but not of that of Charlemagne. 



LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 



THE PEERS, OR PALADINS. 

The twelve most illustrious knights of Charlemagne 
were called Peers, for the equality that reigned among 
them ; while the name of Paladins, also conferred on 
them, impUes that they were inmates of the palace and 
companions of the king. Their names are always 
given alike by the romancers, yet we may enumerate 
the most distinguished of them as follows : Orlando or 
Roland (the former the Italian, the latter the French 
form of the name), favorite nephew of Charlemagne ; 
Rinaldo of Montalban, cousin of Orlando ; Namo, 
Duke of Bavaria ; Salomon, King of Brittany ; Turpin, 
the Archbishop ; Astolpho, of England ; Ogier, the 
Dane ; Malagigi, the Enchanter ; and Florismart, the 
friend of Orlando. There were others who are some- 
times named as paladins, and the number cannot be 
strictly limited to twelve. Charlemagne himself must 
be counted one, and Ganelon, or Gano, of Mayence, 
the treacherous enemy of all the rest, was rated high 
on the list by his deluded sovereign, who was com- 
pletely the victim of his arts. 

We shall introduce more particularly to our readers 
a few of the principal peers, leaving the others to make 



2 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

their own introduction as they appear in the course of 
our narrative. We begin with Orlando. 

ORLANDO. 

Milon, or Milone, a knight of great family, and dis- 
tantly related to Charlemagne, having secretly married 
Bertha, the Emperor's sister, was banished from France, 
and excommunicated by the Pope. After a long and 
miserable wandering on foot as mendicants Milon and 
his wife arrived at Sutri, in Italy, where they took 
refuge in a cave, and in that cave Orlando was born. 
There his mother continued, deriving a scanty support 
from the compassion of the neighboring peasants ; while 
Milon, in quest of honor and fortune, went into foreign 
lands. Orlando grew up among the children of the 
peasantry, surpassing them all in strength and manly 
graces. Among his companions in age, though in 
station far more elevated, was Oliver, son of the governor 
of the town. Between the two boys a feud arose that 
led to a fight, in which Orlando thrashed his riv^al ; but 
this did not prevent a friendship springing up between 
the two, which lasted through life. 

Orlando was so poor that he was sometimes half 
naked. As he was a favorite of the boys, one day four 
of them brought some cloth to make him clothes. Two 
brought white and two red ; and from this circum- 
stance Orlando took his coat-of-arms, or quarter'mgs. 

When Charlemagne was on his way to Rome to 
receive the imperial crown he dined in public in Sutri. 
Orlando and his mother that day had nothing to eat, 
and Orlando coming suddenly upon the royal party, 
and seeing abundance of provisions, seized from the 
attendants as much as he could carrv off, and m.ade 



THE PEERS, OR PALADINS. 3 

good his retreat in spite of their resistance. The Em- 
peror, being told of this incident, was reminded of an 
intimation he had received in a dream, and ordered the 
boy to be followed. This was done by three of the 
knights, whom Orlando would have encountered with 
a cudgel on their entering the grotto, had not his mother 
restrained him. When they heard from her who she 
was they threw themselves at her feet, and promised to 
obtain her pardon from the Emperor. This was easily 
effected. Orlando was received into favor by the Em- 
peror, returned with him to France, and so distin- 
guished himself that he became the most powerful 
support of the throne and of Christianity.^ 



ROLAND AND FERRAGUS. 

Orlando, or Roland, particularly distinguished him- 
self by his combat with Ferragus. Ferragus was a 
giant, and moreover his skin was of such impenetrable 
stuff that no sword could make any impression upon it. 
The giant's mode of fighting was to seize his adversary 
in his arms and carry him off, in spite of all the 
struggles he could make. Roland's utmost skill only 
availed to keep him out of the giant's clutches, but all 
his efforts to wound him with the sword were useless. 
After long fighting Ferragus was so weary that he 
proposed a truce, and when it was agreed upon he 
lay down and immediately fell asleep. He slept in 
perfect security, for it was against all the laws of 
chivalry to take advantage of an adversary under such 

' It is plain that Shakespeare borrowed from this source the 
similar incident in his *' As you Like it." The names of char- 
acters in the play, Orlando, Oliver, Rowland, indicate the same 
thing. 



4 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

circumstances. But Ferragus lay so uncomfortably for 
the want of a pillow that Orlando took pity upon him, 
and brought a smooth stone and placed it under his 
head. When the giant woke up, after a refreshing 
nap, and perceived what Orlando had done, he seemed 
quite grateful, became sociable, and talked freely in the 
usual boastful style of such characters. Among other 
things he told Orlando that he need not attempt to 
kill him with a sword, for that every part of his body 
was invulnerable, except this ; and as he spoke, he 
put his hand to the vital part, just in the middle of his 
breast. Aided by this information Orlando succeeded, 
when the fight was renewed, in piercing the giant in 
the very spot he had pointed out, and giving him a 
death-wound. Great was the rejoicing in the Christian 
camp, and many the praises showered upon the victo- 
rious paladin by the Emperor and all his host. 

On another occasion Orlando encountered a puis- 
sant Saracen warrior, and took from him, as the prize 
of victory, the sword Durindana. This famous weapon 
had once belonged to the illustrious prince Hector of 
Troy. It was of the finest workmanship, and of such 
strength and temper that no armor in the world could 
stand against it. 

A ROLAND FOR AN OLIVER. 

Guerin de Montglave held the lordship of Vienne, 
subject to Charlemagne. He had quarrelled with his 
sovereign, and Charles laid siege to his city, having 
ravaged the neighboring country. Guerin was an 
aged warrior, but relied for his defence upon his four 
son3 and two grandsons, who were among the bravest 
knights of the age. After the siege had continued two 
months Charlemagne received tidings that Marsilius, 



THE PEERS, OR PALADINS. 5 

king of Spain, had invaded France, and, finding him- 
self unopposed, was advancing rapidly in the Southern 
provinces. At this intelligence Charles listened to the 
counsel of his peers, and consented to put the quarrel 
with Guerin to the decision of Heaven, by single com- 
bat between two knights, one of each party, selected 
by Jot. The proposal was acceptable to Guerin and 
his sons. The names of the four, together with 
Guerin's own, who would not be excused, and of the 
two grandsons, who claimed their lot, being put into 
a helmet, Oliver's was drawn forth, and to him, the 
youngest of the grandsons, was assigned the honor and 
the peril of the combat. He accepted the award with 
delight, exulting in being thought worthy to maintain 
the cause of his family. On Charlemagne's side Ro- 
land was the designated champion, and neither he nor 
Oliver knew who his antagonist was to be. 

They met on an island in the Rhone, and the war- 
riors of both camps were ranged on either shore, spec- 
tators of the battle. At the first encounter both lances 
were shivered, but both riders kept their seats, immov- 
able. They dismounted, and drew their swords. 
Then ensued a combat which seemed so equal, that 
the spectators could not form an opinion as to the 
probable issue. Two hours and more the knights con- 
tinued to strike and parry, to thrust and ward, neither 
showing any sign of weariness, nor ever being taken 
at unawares. At length Orlando struck hiriously upon 
Oliver's shield, burying Durindana in its edge so 
deeply that he could not draw it back, and Oliver, 
almost at the same moment, thrust so vigorously upon 
Orlando's breastplate that his sword snapped oiF at the 
handle. Thus were the two warriors left weaponless. 
Scarcely pausing a moment, they rushed upon one 



6 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

another, each striving to throw his adversary to the 
ground, and failing in that, each snatched at the other's 
helmet to tear it aw^ay. Both succeeded, and at the 
same moment they stood bareheaded face to face, and 
Roland recognized Oliver, and Oliver Roland. For 
a moment they stood still ; and the next, v^ith open 
arms, rushed into one another's embrace. " 1 am 
conquered," said Orlando. ^^ I yield me," said 
Oliver. 

The people on the shore knew not what to make 
of all this. Presently they saw the two late antago- 
nists standing hand in hand, and it was evident the 
battle was at an end. The knights crowded round 
them, and with one voice hailed them as equals in 
glory. If there were any who felt disposed to mur- 
mur that the battle was left undecided they were 
silenced by the voice of Ogier the Dane, who pro- 
claimed aloud that all had been done that honor re- 
quired, and declared that he would maintain that award 
against all gainsay ers. 

The quarrel with Guerin and his sons being left un- 
decided, a truce was made for four days, and in that 
time, by the efforts of Duke Namo on the one side, 
and of Oliver on the other, a reconciliation was effected. 
Charlemagne, accompanied by Guerin and his valiant 
family, marched to meet Marsilius, who hastened to 
retreat across the frontier. 



Rinaldo was one of the four sons of Aymon, who 
married Aya, the sister of Charlemagne. Thus Rinaldo 
was nephew to Charlemagne and cousin of Orlando. 

When Rinaldo had grown old enough to assume 



THE PEERS, OR PALADINS. 7 

arms Orlando had won for himself an illustrious name 
by his exploits against the Saracens, whom Charle- 
magne and his brave knights had driven out of France. 
Orlando's fame excited a noble emulation in Rinaido. 
Eager to go in pursuit of glory, he wandered in the 
country near Paris, and one day saw at the foot of a 
tree a superb horse, fully equipped and loaded with a 
complete suit of armor. Rinaido clothed himself in the 
armor and mounted the horse, but took not the sword. 
On the day when, with his brothers, he had received 
the honor of knighthood from the Emperor he had 
sworn never to bind a sword to his side till he had 
wrested one from some famous knight. 

Rinaido took his way to the forest of Arden, cele- 
brated for so many adventures. Hardly had he entered 
it when he met an old man, bending under the weight 
of years, and learned from him that the forest was in- 
fested with a wild horse, untamable, that broke and 
overturned everything that opposed his career. To 
attack him, he said, or even to meet him, was certain 
death. Rinaido, far from being alarmed, showed the 
most eager desire to combat the animal. This was 
the horse Bayard, afterward so famous. He had for- 
merly belonged to Amadis of Gaul. After the death 
of that hero he had been held under enchantment by 
the power of a magician, who predicted that, when 
the time came to break the spell, he should be subdued 
by a knight of the lineage of Amadis, and not less 
brave than he. 

To win this wonderful horse it was necessary to 
conquer him by force or skill ; for from the moment 
when he should be thrown down he would become 
docile and manageable. His habitual resort was a cave 
on the borders of the forest ; but w^oe be to anv one 



8 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

who should approach him, unless gifted with strength 
and courage more than mortal. Having told this, the 
old man departed. He was not, in fact, an old man, 
but Malagigi, the enchanter, cousin of Rinaldo, who, 
to favor the enterprises of the young knight, had pro- 
cured for him the horse and armor which he so oppor- 
tunely found, and now put him in the way to acquire 
a horse unequalled in the world. 

Rinaldo plunged into the forest, and spent many 
days in seeking Bayard, but found no traces of him. 
One day he encountered a Saracen knight, with whom 
he made acquaintance, as often happened to knights, 
by first meeting him in combat. This knight, whose 
name was Isolier, was also in quest of Bayard. Ri- 
naldo succeeded in the encounter, and so severe was 
the shock that Isolier was a long time insensible. When 
he revived, and was about to resume the contest, a 
peasant who passed by (it was Malagigi) interrupted 
them with the news that the terrible horse was near at 
hand, advising them to unite their powers to subdue 
him, for it would require all their ability. 

Rinaldo and Isolier, now become friends, proceeded 
together to the attack of the horse. They found Bay- 
ard, and stood a long time, concealed by the wood, 
admiring his strength and beauty. 

A bright bay in color (whence he was called Bay- 
ard), with a silver star in his forehead, and his hind 
feet white, his body slender, his head delicate, his 
ample chest filled out with swelling muscles, his shoul- 
ders broad and flill, his legs straight and sinewy, his 
thick mane faUing over his arching neck, — he came 
rushing through the forest, regardless of rocks, bushes, 
or trees, rending everything that opposed his way, and 
neighing defiance. 



THE PEERS, OR PALADINS. 9 

He first descried Isolier, and rushed upon him. 
The knight received him with lance in rest, but the 
fierce animal broke the spear, and his course was not 
delayed by it for an instant. The Spaniard adroitly 
stepped aside, and gave way to the rushing tempest. 
Bayard checked his career, and turned again upon the 
knight, who had already drawn his sword. He drew 
his sword, for he had no hope of taming the horse ; 
that, he was satisfied, was impossible. 

Bayard rushed upon him, fiercely rearing, now on 
this side, now on that. The knight struck him with 
his sword, where the white star adorned his forehead, 
but struck in vain, and felt ashamed, thinking that he 
had struck feebly, for he did not know that the skin of 
that horse was so tough that the keenest sw^ord could 
make no impression upon it. 

Whisthng fell the sword once more, and struck with 
greater force, and the fierce horse felt it, and drooped 
his head under the blow, but the next moment turned 
upon his foe with such a buffet that the Pagan fell 
stunned and lifeless to the earth. 

Rinaldo, who saw Isoher fall, and thought that his 
life was reft, darted towards the horse, and, with his 
fist gave him such a blow on the jaws that the blood 
tinged his mouth with vermilion. Quicker than an 
arrow leaves the bow the horse turned upon him, and 
tried to seize his arm with his teeth. 

The knight stepped back, and then, repeating his 
blow, struck him on the forehead. Bayard turned, 
and kicked with both his feet with a force that would 
have shattered a mountain. Rinaldo was on his guard, 
and evaded his attacks, whether made with head or 
heels. He kept at his side avoiding both ; but, mak- 
ing a false step, he at last received a terrible blow from 



lo LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

the horse's foot, and at the shock almost fainted away. 
A second such blow would have killed him, but the 
horse kicked at random, and a second blow did not 
reach Rinaldo, who in a moment recovered himself. 
Thus the contest continued until by chance Bayard's 
foot got caught between the branches of an oak. 
Rinaldo seized it and putting forth all his strength and 
address, threw him on the ground. 

No sooner had Bayard touched the ground than all 
his rage subsided. No longer an object of terror, he 
became gentle and quiet, yet with dignity in his mild- 
ness. 

The paladin patted his neck, stroked his breast, and 
smoothed his mane, while the animal neighed and 
showed delight to be caressed by his master. Rinaldo, 
seeing him now completely subdued, took the saddle 
and trappings from the other horse, and adorned Bay- 
ard with the spoils. 

Rinaldo became one of the most illustrious knights 
of Charlemagne's court, — indeed, the most illustrious, 
if we except Orlando. Yet he was not always so obe- 
dient to the Emperor's commands as he should have 
been, and every fault he committed was sure to be 
aggravated by the malice of Gan, Duke of Maganza, 
the treacherous enemy of Rinaldo and all his house. 

At one time Rinaldo had incurred the severe dis- 
pleasure of Charlemagne, and been banished from 
court. Seeing no chance of being ever restored to 
favor, he went to Spain, and entered into the service 
of the Saracen king, Ivo. His brothers, Alardo, 
Ricardo, and Ricciardetto, accompanied him, and all 
four served the king so faithfully that they rose to 
high favor with him. The king gave them land in 
the mountains on the frontiers of France and Spain, 



THE TOURNAMENT. II 

and subjected all the country round to Rinaldo's 
authority. There was plenty of marble in the moun- 
tains, the king furnished workmen, and they built a 
castle for Rinaldo, surrounded with high walls, so as 
to be almost impregnable. Built of white stone, and 
placed on the brow of a marble promontory, the castle 
shone like a star, and Rinaldo gave it the name of 
Montalban. Here he assembled his friends, many of 
whom were banished men like himself, and the coun- 
try people furnished them with provisions in return 
for the protection the castle afforded. Yet some of 
Rinaldo' s men were law^less, and sometimes the sup- 
plies were not furnished in sufficient abundance, so 
that Rinaldo and his garrison got a bad name for taking 
by force what they could not obtain by gift ; and we 
sometimes find Montalban spoken of as a nest of free- 
booters, and its defenders called a beggarly garrison. 

Charlemagne's displeasure did not last long, and, at 
the time our history commences, Rinaldo and his 
brothers were completely restored to the favor of the 
Emperor, and none of his cavaliers served him with 
greater zeal and fidelity than they, throughout all his 
wars with the Saracens and Pagans. 



THE TOURNAMENT. 

It was the month of May, and the feast of Pente- 
cost. Charlemagne had ordered magnificent festivities, 
and summoned to them, besides his paladins and vas- 
sals of the crown, ail strangers. Christian or Saracen, 
then sojourning at Paris. Among the guests were 
King Grandonio, from Spain ; and Ferrau, the Sara- 



12 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

cen, with eyes like an eagle ; Orlando and Rinaldo, 
the Emperor's nephews ; Duke Namo ; Astolpho, of 
England, the handsomest man living ; Malagigi, the 
Enchanter ; and Gano, of Naganza, that wily traitor, 
who had the art to make the Emperor think he loved 
him, while he plotted against him. 

High sat Charlemagne at the head of his vassals and 
his paladins, rejoicing in the thought of their number 
and their might, while all were sitting and hearing 
music, and feasting, when suddenly there came into 
the hall four enormous giants, having between them a 
lady of incomparable beauty, attended by a single 
knight. There were many ladies present who had 
seemed beautiful till she made her appearance, but 
after that they all seemed nothing. Every Christian 
knight turned his eyes, to her, and every Pagan 
crowded round her, while she, with a sweetness that 
might have touched a heart of stone, thus addressed 
the Emperor : 

'^ High-minded lord, the renown of your worthi- 
ness, and of the valor of these your knights, which 
echoes from sea to sea, encourages me to hope that two 
pilgrims, who have come from the ends of the world 
to behold you, will not have encountered their fatigue 
in vain. And, before I show the motive which has 
brought us hither, learn that this knight is my brother 
Uberto, and that I am his sister Angelica. Fame has 
told us* of the jousting this day appointed, and so the 
prince my brother has come to prove his valor, and to 
say that, if any of the knights here assembled choose 
to meet him in the joust, he will encounter them, one 
by one, at the stair of Merlin, by the Fountain of the 
Pine. And his conditions are these : No knight who 
chances to be thrown shall be allowed to renew the 



THE TOURNAMENT. 13 

combat, but shall remain prisoner to my brother ; but 
if my brother be overthrown he shall depart out of 
the country, leaving me as the prize of the con- 
queror. ' ' 

Now it must be stated that this Angelica and her 
brother, who called himself Uberto, but whose real 
name was Argalia, were the children of Galafron, king 
of Cathay, who had sent them to be the destruction 
of the Christian host ; for Argalia was armed with an 
enchanted lance, which unfailingly overthrew every- 
thing it touched, and he was mounted on a horse, a 
creature of magic, whose swiftness outstripped the 
wind. Angelica possessed also a ring which was a 
defence against all enchantments, and when put into 
the mouth rendered the bearer invisible. Thus Arga- 
lia was expected to subdue and take prisoners what- 
ever knights should dare to encounter him ; and the 
charms of Angelica were relied on to entice the pala- 
dins to make the fatal venture, while her ring would 
afford her easy means of escape. 

When Angelica ceased speaking she knelt before 
the king and awaited his answer, and everybody gazed 
on her with admiration. Orlando especially felt irre- 
sistibly drawn towards her, so that he trembled and 
changed countenance. Every knight in the hall was 
infected with the same feeling, not excepting old white- 
headed Duke Namo and Charlemagne himself. 

All stood for a while in silence, lost in the dehght 
of looking at her. The fiery youth Ferrau could 
hardly restrain himself from seizing her from the giants 
and carrying her away ; Rinaldo turned as red as fire, 
while Malagigi, who had discovered by his art that 
the stranger was not speaking truth, muttered sofdy, as 
he looked at her, ^' Exquisite false creature ! I will 



14 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

play thee such a trick for this, as will leave thee no 
cause to boast of thy visit." 

Charlemagne, to detain her as long as possible be- 
fore him, delayed his assent till he had asked her a 
number of questions, all which she answered discreetly, 
and then the challenge was accepted. 

As soon as she was gone Malagigi consulted his 
book, and found out the whole plot of the vile, infidel 
king, Galafron, as we have explained it, so he deter- 
mined to seek the damsel and frustrate her designs. 
He hastened to the appointed spot, and there found 
the prince and his sister in a beautiful pavilion, where 
they lay asleep, while the four giants kept watch. 
Malagigi took his book and cast a spell out of it, and 
immediately the four giants fell into a deep sleep. 
Drawing his sword (for he was a belted knight), he 
softly approached the young lady, intending to de- 
spatch her at once ; but, seeing her look so lovely, he 
paused for a moment, thinking there, was no need of 
hurry, as he believed his spell was upon her, and she 
could not wake. But the ring which she wore secured 
her from the effect of the spell, and some slight noise, 
or whatever else it was, caused her at that moment to 
awake. She uttered a great cry, and flew to her 
brother, and waked him. By the help of her knowl- 
edge of enchantment, they took and bound fast the 
magician, and, seizing his book, turned his arts against 
himself. Then they summoned a crowd of demons, 
and bade them seize their prisoner and bear him to 
King Galafron, at his great city of Albracca, which 
they did, and, on his arrival, he was locked up in a 
rock under the sea. 

While these things were going on all was uproar 
at Paris, since Orlando insisted upon being the first to 



THE TOURNAMENT. I 5 

try the adventure at the stair of Merlin. This was 
resented by the other pretenders to Angelica, and all 
contested his right to the precedence. The tumult was 
stilled by the usual expedient of drawing lots, and the 
first prize was drawn by Astolpho. Ferrau, the Sara- 
cen, had the second, and Grandonio the third. Next 
came Berlinghieri, and Otho ; then Charles himself, 
and, as his ill-fortune would have it, after thirty more, 
the indignant Orlando. 

Astolpho, who drew the first lot, was handsome, 
brave, and rich. But, whether from heedlessness or 
want of skill, he was an unlucky jouster, and very apt 
to be thrown, an accident which he bore with perfect 
good-humor, always ready to mount again and try to 
mend his fortune, generally with no better success. 

Astolpho went forth upon his adventure with great 
gayety of dress and manner, encountered Argalia, and 
was immediately tilted out of the saddle. He railed 
at fortune, to whom he laid all the fault ; but his pain- 
fill feelings were somewhat relieved by the kindness of 
Angelica, who, touched by his youth and good looks, 
granted him the liberty of the pavilion, and caused him 
to be treated with all kindness and respect. 

The violent Ferrau had the next chance in the en- 
counter, and was thrown no less speedily than Astol- 
pho ; but he did not so easily put up with his mis- 
chance. Crying out, ^* What are the emperor's en- 
gagements to me ?" he rushed with his sword against 
Argalia, who, being forced to defend himself, dis- 
mounted and drew his sword, but got so much the 
worse of the fight that he made a signal of surrender, 
and, after some words, listened to a proposal of mar- 
riage from Ferrau to his sister. The beauty, however, 
feeling no inclination to match with such a rough and 



1 6 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

savage-looking person, was so dismayed at the oiFer, 
that, hastily bidding her brother to meet her in the 
forest of Arden, she vanished from the sight of both by 
means of the enchanted ring. Argalia, seeing this, 
took to his horse of swiftness, and dashed away in the 
same direction. Ferrau pursued him, and Astolpho, 
thus left to himself, took possession of the enchanted 
lance in place of his own, which was broken, not 
knowing the treasure he possessed in it, and returned 
to the tournament. Charlemagne, finding the lady 
and her brother gone, ordered the jousting to proceed 
as at first intended, in which Astolpho, by aid of the 
enchanted lance, unhorsed all comers against him, 
equally to their astonishment and his own. 

The paladin Rinaldo, on learning the issue of the 
combat of Ferrau and the stranger, galloped after the 
fair fugitive in an agony of love and impatience. 
Orlando, perceiving his disappearance, pushed forth in 
like manner ; and, at length, all three are in the forest 
of Arden, hunting about for her who is invisible. 

Now in this forest there were two fountains, the 
one constructed by the sage Merlin, who designed it 
for Tristram and the fair Isoude ; ^ for such was the 
virtue of this fountain, that a draught of its waters pro- 
duced an oblivion of the love which the drinker might 
feel, and even produced aversion for the object formerly 
beloved. The other fountain was endowed with ex- 
actly opposite qualities, and a draught of it inspired 
love for the first living object that was seen after 
tasting it. Rinaldo happened to come to the first- 
mentioned fountain, and, being flushed with heat, dis- 
mounted, and quenched in one draught both his thirst 
and his passion. So far from loving Angelica as before 

* See their story in ** The Age of Chivalry." 



THE TOURNAMENT. 1 7 

he hated her from the bottom of his heart, became 
disgusted with the search he was upon, and, feeling 
fatigued with his ride, finding a sheltered and flowery 
nook, laid himself down and fell asleep. 

Shortly after came Angelica, but, approaching in a 
different direction, she espied the other fountain, and 
there quenched her thirst. Then resuming her way, 
she came upon the sleeping Rinaldo. Love instantly 
seized her, and she stood rooted to the spot. 

The meadow round was all fall of lilies of the 
valley and wild roses. AngeHca, not knowing what 
to do, at length plucked a handful of these, and dropped 
them, one by one, on the face of the sleeper. He 
woke up, and, seeing who it was, received her saluta- 
tions with averted countenance, remounted his horse, 
and galloped away. In vain the beautiful creature 
followed and called after him, in vain asked him what 
she had done to be so despised. Rinaldo disappeared, 
leaving her in despair, and she returned in tears to the 
spot where she had found him sleeping. There, in 
her turn, she herself lay down, pressing the spot of 
earth on which he had lain, and, out of fatigue and 
sorrow, fell asleep. 

As Angelica thus lay, fortune conducted Orlando to 
the same place. The attitude in which she was sleep- 
ing was so lovely that it is not to be conceived, much 
less expressed. Orlando stood gazing like a man who 
had been transported to another sphere. ^* Am I on 
earth," he exclaimed, ^^ or am I in Paradise ? Surely 
it is I that sleep, and this is my dream." 

But his dream was proved to be none in a manner 
which he little desired. Ferrau, who had slain Arga- 
lia, came up, raging with jealousy, and a combat ensued 
which awoke the sleeper. 



I 8 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

Terriiied at what she beheld, she rushed to her 
palfrey, and, while the fighters were occupied with 
one another, fled away through the forest. The 
champions continued their fight till they were inter- 
rupted by a messenger, who brought word to Ferrau 
that king Marsilius, his sovereign, was in pressing need 
of his assistance, and conjured him to return to Spain. 
Ferrau, upon this, proposed to suspend the combat, 
to which Orlando, eager to pursue Angelica, agreed. 
Ferrau, on the other hand, departed with the messen- 
ger to Spain. ' 

Orlando's quest for the fair fugitive was all in vain. 
Aided by the powers of magic, she made a speedy 
return to her own country. 

But the thought of Rinaldo could not be banished 
from her mind, and she determined to set Malagigi at 
hberty, and to employ him to win Rinaldo, if possi- 
ble, to make her a return of affection. She accordingly 
freed him from his dungeon, unlocking his fetters with 
her own hands, and restored him his book, promising 
him ample honors and rewards, on condition of his 
bringing Rinaldo to her feet. 

Malagigi accordingly, with the aid of his book, 
called up a demon, mounted him, and departed. 
Arrived at his destination, he inveigled Rinaldo into 
an enchanted bark, which conveyed him, without 
any visible pilot, to an island where stood an edifice 
called Joyous Castle. The whole island was a 
garden. On the western side, close to the sea, was 
the palace, built of marble, so clear and polished that 
it reflected the landscape about it. Rinaldo leapt 
ashore, and soon met a lady, who invited him to 
enter. The house was as beautiful within as without, 
full of rooms adorned with azure and gold, and with 



THE TOURNAMENT. 1 9 

noble paintings. The lady led the knight into an 
apartment painted with stories, and opening to the 
garden, through pillars of crystal, with golden capitals. 
Here he found a bevy of ladies, three of whom were 
singing in concert, while another played on an instru- 
ment of exquisite accord, and the rest danced round 
about them. When the ladies beheld him coming 
they turned the dance into a circuit round him, and 
then one of them, in the sweetest manner, said, ^^ Sir 
knight, the tables are set, and the hour for the banquet 
is come ; ' ' and, with these words, still dancing, they 
drew him across the lawn in front of the apartment, 
to a table that was spread with cloth of gold and fine 
linen, under a bower of damask roses by the side of a 
fountain. 

Four ladies were already seated there, who rose, 
and placed Rinaldo at their head, in a chair set with 
pearls. And truly indeed was he astonished. A re- 
past ensued, consisting of viands the most delicate, and 
wines as fragrant as they were fine, drunk out of 
jewelled cups ; and, when it drew towards its conclu- 
sion, harps and lutes were heard in the distance, and 
one of the ladies said in the knight's ear : ^' This 
house and all that you see in it are yours ; for you 
alone was it built, and the builder is a queen. Happy 
indeed must you think yourself, for she loves you, and 
she is the greatest beauty in the world ! Her name is 
Angelica." 

The moment Rinaldo heard the name he so de- 
tested he started up, with a changed countenance, 
and, in spite of all that the lady could say, broke oiF 
across the garden, and never ceased hastening till he 
reached the place where he landed. The bark was 
still on the shore. He sprang into it, and pushed off, 



20 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

though he saw nobody in it but himself. It was in 
vain for him to try to control its movements, for it 
dashed on as if in fury, till it reached a distant shore 
covered with a gloomy forest. Here Rinaldo, sur- 
rounded by enchantments of a very different sort from 
those which he had lately resisted, was entrapped into 
a pit. 

The pit belonged to a castle called Altaripa, which 
was hung with human heads, and painted red with 
blood. As the paladin was viewing the scene with 
amazement a hideous old woman made her appear- 
ance at the edge of the pit, and told him that he was 
destined to be thrown to a monster, who was only 
kept from devastating the whole country by being 
supplied with living human flesh. Rinaldo said, '' Be 
it so ; let me but remain armed as I am, and I fear 
nothing." The old woman laughed in derision. Ri- 
naldo remained in the pit all night, and the next 
morning was taken to the place where the monster 
had his den. It was a court surrounded by a high 
wall. Rinaldo was shut in with the beast, and a ter- 
rible combat ensued. Rinaldo was unable to make 
any impression on the scales of the monster, while he, 
on the contrary, with his dreadful claws, tore away 
plate and mail from the paladin. Rinaldo began to 
think his last hour was come, and cast his eyes around 
and above to see if there was any means of escape. 
He perceived a beam projecting from the wall at the 
height of some ten feet, and, taking a leap almost 
miraculous, he succeeded in reaching it, and in fling- 
ing himself up across it. Here he sat for hours, the 
hideous brute continually trying to reach him. All at 
once he heard the sound of something coming through 
the air like a bird, and suddenly Angelica herself 



THE TOURNAMENT. 2 1 

alighted on the end of the beam. She held something 
in her hand towards him, and spoke to him in a loving 
voice. But the moment Rinaldo saw her he com- 
manded her to go away, refused all her offers of as- 
sistance, and at length declared that, if she did not 
leave him, he would cast himself down to the monster, 
and meet his fate. 

Angelica, saying she w^ould lose her life rather than 
displease him, departed ; but first she threw to the 
monster a c^ke of wax she had prepared, and spread 
around him a rope knotted with nooses. The beast 
took the bait, and, finding his teeth glued together by 
the wax, vented his fury in bounds and leaps, and, 
soon getting entangled in the nooses, drew them tight 
by his struggles, so that he could scarcely move a 
limb. 

Rinaldo, watching his chance, leapt down upon his 
back, seized him round the neck, and throttled him, 
not relaxing his gripe till the beast fell dead. 

Another difficulty remained to be overcome. The 
walls were of immense height, and the only opening 
in them was a grated window of such strength that he 
could not break the bars. In his distress Rinaldo 
found a file, which Angelica had left on the ground, 
and, with the help of this, effected his deliverance. 

What further adventures he met with will be told in 
another chapter. 



22 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 



THE SIEGE OF ALBRACCA. 

At the very time when Charlemagne was holding 
his plenary court and his great tournament his king- 
dom was invaded by a mighty monarch, who was 
moreover so valiant and strong in battle that no one 
could stand against him. He was named Gradasso, 
and his kingdom was called Sericane. Now, as it 
often happens to the greatest and the richest to long 
for what they cannot have, and thus to lose what 
they already possess, this king could not rest content 
without Durindana, the sword of Orlando, and Bay- 
ard, the horse of Rinaldo. To obtain these he deter- 
mined to war upon France, and for this purpose put 
in array a mighty army. 

He took his way through Spain, and, after defeat- 
ing Marsilius, the king of that country, in several 
battles, was rapidly advancing on France. Charle- 
magne, though Marsilius was a Saracen, and had been 
his enemy, yet felt it needful to succor him in this 
extremity from a consideration of common danger, 
and, with the consent of his peers, despatched Rinaldo 
with a strong body oi soldiers against Gradasso. 

There was much fighting, with doubtful results, and 
Gradasso was steadily advancing into France. But, 
impatient to achieve his objects, he challenged Rinaldo 
to single combat, to be fought on foot, and upon these 
conditions : If Rinaldo conquered, Gradasso agreed to 
give up all his prisoners and return to his own 
country ; but if Gradasso won the day, he was to 
have Bayard. 

The challenge was accepted, and would have been 
fought had it not been for the arts of Malagigi, who 



THE SIEGE OF ALBRACCA. 23 

just then returned from Angelica's kingdom with set 
purpose to win Rinaldo to look with favor upon the 
fair princess who was dying for love of him. Mala- 
gigi drew Rinaldo away from the army by putting on 
the semblance of Gradasso, and, after a short contest, 
pretending to fly before him, by which means Rinaldo 
was induced to follow him into a boat, in which he 
was borne away, and entangled in various adventures, 
as we have already related. 

The army, left under the command of Ricciardetto, 
Rinaldo's brother, was soon joined by Charlemagne 
and all his peerage, but experienced a disastrous rout, 
and the Emperor and many of his paladins were 
taken prisoners. Gradasso, however, did not abuse 
his victory ; he took Charles by the hand, seated him 
by his side, and told him he warred only for honor. 
He renounced all conquests, on condition that the 
Emperor should deliver to him Bayard and Durin- 
dana, both of them the property of his vassals, the 
former of which, as he maintained, was already for- 
feited to him by Rinaldo 's failure to meet him as 
agreed. To these terms Charlemagne readily acceded. 

Bayard, after the departure of his master, had been 
taken in charge by Ricciardetto, and sent back to 
Paris, where Astolpho was in command, in the ab- 
sence of Charlemagne. Astolpho received with great 
indignation the message despatched for Bayard, and 
replied by a herald that '^he would not surrender the 
horse of his kinsman Rinaldo without a contest. If 
Gradasso wanted the steed he might come and take 
him, and that he, Astolpho, was ready to meet him in 
the field." 

Gradasso was only amused at this answer, for As- 
tolpho's fame as a successful warrior was not high. 



24 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

and Gradasso willingly renewed with him the bargain 
which he had made with Rinaldo. On these condi- 
tions the battle was fought. The enchanted lance, in 
the hands of Astolpho, performed a new wonder ; and 
Gradasso, the terrible Gradasso, was unhorsed. 

He kept his word, set free hh prisoners, and put 
his army on the march to return to his own country, 
renewing his oath, however, not to rest till he had 
taken from Rinaldo his horse, and from Orlando his 
sword, or lost his life in the attempt. 

Charlemagne, full of gratitude to Astolpho, would 
have kept him near his person and loaded him with 
honors, but Astolpho preferred to seek Rinaldo, with 
the view of restoring to him his horse, and departed 
from Paris with that design. 



Our story now returns to Orlando, whom we left 
fascinated with the sight of the sleeping beauty, who, 
however, escaped him while engaged in the combat 
with Ferrau. Having long sought her in vain through 
the recesses of the wood, he resolved to follow her to 
her father's court. Leaving, therefore, the camp of 
Charlemagne, he travelled long in the direction of the 
East, making inquiry everywhere, if, perchance, he 
might get tidings of the fugitive. After many advent- 
ures, he arrived one day at a place where many 
roads crossed, and meeting there a courier, he asked 
him for news. The courier replied that he had been 
despatched by Angelica to solicit the aid of Sacripant, 
king of Circassia, in favor of her father Galafron, who 
was besieged in his city, Albracca, by Agrican, king 
of Tartary. This Agrican had been an unsuccessful 
suitor to the damsel, whom he now pursued with 



THE SIEGE OF ALBRACCA. 25 

arms. Orlando thus learned that he was within a 
day's journey of Albracca ; and, feeling now secure of 
Angelica, he proceeded with all speed to her city. 

Thus journeying he arrived at a bridge, under 
which flowed a foaming river. Here a damsel met 
him with a goblet, and informed him that it was the 
usage of this bridge to present the traveller with a 
cup. Orlando accepted the offered cup and drank its 
contents. He had no sooner done so than his brain 
reeled, and he became unconscious of the object of 
his journey, and of everything else. Under the in- 
fluence of this fascination he followed the damsel into 
a magnificent and marvellous palace. Here he found 
himself in company with many knights, unknown to 
him and to each other, though if it had not been for 
the Cup of Oblivion of which they all had partaken 
they would have found themselves brothers in arms. 



Astolpho, proceeding on his way to seek Rinaldo, 
splendidly dressed and equipped, as was his wont, ar- 
rived in Circassia, and found there a great army 
encamped under the command of Sacripant, the king 
of that country, who was leading it to the defence of 
Galafron, the father of Angelica. Sacripant, much 
struck by the appearance of Astolpho and his horse, 
accosted him courteously, and tried to enlist him in his 
service ; but Astolpho, proud of his late victories, 
scornfully declined his offers, and pursued his way. 
King Sacripant was too much attracted by his appear- 
ance to part with him so easily, and having laid aside 
his kingly ornaments, set out in pursuit of him. 

Astolpho next day encountered on his way a 
stranger knight, named Sir Florismart, Lord of the 



26 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

Sylvan Tower, one of the bravest and best of knights, 
having as his guide a damsel, young, fair, and virtu- 
ous, to whom he was tenderly attached, whose name 
was Flordelis. Astolpho, as he approached, defied the 
knight, bidding him yield the lady, or prepare to 
maintain his right by arms. Florismart accepted the 
contest, and the knights encountered. Florismart was 
unhorsed and his steed fell dead, while Bayard sus- 
tained no injury by the shock. 

Florismart was so overwhelmed with despair at his 
own disgrace and the sight of the damsel's distress, 
that he drew his sword, and was about to plunge it 
into his own bosom. But Astolpho held his hand, 
told him that he contended only for glory, and was 
contented to leave him the lady. 

While Florismart and Flordelis were vowing eter- 
nal gratitude King Sacripant arrived, and coveting the 
damsel of the one champion as much as the horse and 
arms of the other, defied them to the joust. Astolpho 
met the challenger, whom he instantly overthrew, and 
presented his courser to Florismart, leaving the king to 
return to his army on foot. 

The friends pursued their route, and ere long Flor- 
delis discovered, by signs which were known to her, 
that they were approaching the waters of Oblivion, 
and advised them to turn back, or to change their 
course. This the knights would not hear of, and, 
continuing their march, they soon arrived at the bridge 
where Orlando had been taken prisoner. 

The damsel of the bridge appeared as before with 
the enchanted cup, but Astolpho, forewarned, rejected 
it with scorn. She dashed it to the ground, and a fire 
blazed up which rendered the bridge unapproachable. 
At the same ^^loment the two knights were assailed by 



THE SIEGE OF ALBRACCA. 27 

sundry warriors, known and unknown, who, having 
no recollection of anything, joined blindly in defence of 
their prison-house. Among these was Orlando, at 
sight of whom Astolpho, with all his confidence not 
daring to encounter him, turned and fled, owing his 
escape to the strength and fleetness of Bayard. 

Florismart, meanwhile, overlaid by fearful odds, 
was compelled to yield to necessity, and comply with 
the usage of the fairy. He drank of the cup and 
remained prisoner with the rest. Flordelis, deprived 
of her two friends, retired from the scene, and devoted 
herself to untiring efforts to effect her lover's dehver- 
ance. Astolpho pursued his way to Albracca, which 
Agrican was about to besiege. He was kindly wel- 
comed by Angelica, and enrolled among her defenders. 
Impatient to distinguish himself, he one night sallied 
forth alone, arrived in Agrican 's camp, and unhorsed 
his warriors right and left by means of the enchanted 
lance. But he was soon surrounded and overmatched, 
and made prisoner to Agrican. 

Rehef was, however, at hand ; for as the citizens 
and soldiers were one day leaning over their walls 
they descried a cloud of dust, from which horsemen 
were seen to prick forth, as it rolled on towards the 
camp of the besiegers. This turned out to be the 
army of Sacripant, which immediately attacked that of 
Agrican, with the view of cutting a passage through 
his camp to the besieged city. But Agrican, mounted 
upon Bayard, taken from Astolpho, but not armed 
with the lance of gold, the virtues of which were un- 
known to him, performed w^onders, and raUied his 
scattered troops, which had given way to the sudden 
and unexpected assault. Sacripant, on the other hand, 
encouraged his men by the most desperate acts of 



2 8 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

valor, having as an additional incentive to his courage 
the sight of Angelica, who shov^ed herself upon the 
city walls. 

There she witnessed a single combat between the 
two leaders, Agrican and Sacripant. In this, at length, 
her defender appeared to be overmatched, when the 
Circassians broke the ring, and separated the comba- 
tants, who were borne asunder in the rush. Sacripant, 
severely wounded, profited by the confusion, and es- 
caped into Albracca, where he was kindly received 
and carefully tended by Angelica. 

The batde continuing, the Circassians were at last 
put to flight, and, being intercepted between the 
enemy's lines and the town, sought for refuge under 
the walls. Angelica ordered the drawbridge to be let 
down, and the gates thrown open to the fugitives. 
With these Agrican, not distinguished in the crowd, 
entered the place, driving both Circassians and Cath- 
ayans before him, and the portcullis being dropped, he 
was shut in. 

For a time the terror which he inspired put to flight 
all opposers, but when at last it came to be known 
that few or none of his followers had effected an en- 
trance with him, the fugitives rallied and surrounded 
him on all sides. While he was thus apparently re- 
duced to the last extremities, he was saved by the very 
circumstance which threatened him with destruction. 
The soldiers of Angelica, closing upon him from all 
sides, deserted their defences ; and his own besieging 
army entered the city in a part where the wall was 
broken down. 

In this way was Agrican rescued, the city taken, 
and the inhabitants put to the sword. Angelica, how- 
ever, with some of the knights who were her defend- 



THE SIEGE OF ALBRACCA. 29 

ers, among whom was Sacripant, saved herself in the 
citadel, which was planted upon a rock. 

The fortress was impregnable, but it was scantily 
victualled, and ill provided with other necessaries. 
Under these circumstances Angelica announced to 
those blockaded with her in the citadel her intention to 
go in quest of assistance, and, having plighted her 
promise of a speedy return, she set out, with the en- 
chanted ring upon her finger. Mounted upon her pal- 
frey, the damsel passed through the enemy's lines, and 
by sunrise was many miles clear of their encampment. 

It so happened that her road led her near the fatal 
bridge of Oblivion, and as she approached it she met 
a damsel weeping bitterly. It was Flordelis, whose 
lover, Florismart, as we have related, had met the fate 
of Orlando and many more, and fallen a victim to the 
enchantress of the cup. She related her adventures to 
Angelica, and conjured her to lend what aid she might 
to rescue her lord and his companions. Angelica, 
accordingly, watching her opportunity and aided by 
her ring, slipped into the castle unseen, when the door 
was opened to admit a new victim. Here she speed- 
ily disenchanted Orlando and the rest by a touch of 
her talisman. But Florismart was not there. He had 
been given up to Falerina, a more powerful enchant- 
ress, and was still in durance. Angehca conjured the 
rescued captives to assist her in the recovery of her 
kingdom, and all departed together for Albracca. 

The arrival of Orlando, with his companions, nine 
in all, and among the bravest knights of France, 
changed at once the fortunes of the war. Wherever 
the great paladin came, pennon and standard fell before 
him. Agrican in vain attempted to rally his troops. 
Orlando kept constantly in his front, forcing him to 



30 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

attend to nobody else. The Tartar king at length 
bethought him of a stratagem. He turned his horse, 
and made a show of flying in despair. Orlando dashed 
after him as he desired, and Agrican fled till he reached 
a green place in a wood, where there was a fountain. 

The place was beautiful, and the Tartar dismounted 
to refresh himself at the fountain, bat without taking 
ofl^ his helmet, or laying aside any of his armor. Or- 
lando was quickly at his back, crying out, *< So bold, 
and yet a fugitive ! How could you fly from a single 
arm and think to escape ? " 

The Tartar king had leaped on his saddle the 
moment he saw his enemy, and when the paladin had 
done speaking, he said in a mild voice, ^^ Without 
doubt you are the best knight T ever encountered, and 
fain would I leave you untouched for your own sake, 
if you would cease to hinder me from rallying my 
people. I pretended to fly, in order to bring you out 
of the field. If you insist upon fighting I must needs 
fight and slay you, but I call the sun in the heavens to 
witness I would rather not. I should be very sorry 
for your death." 

The Count Orlando felt pity for so much gallantry, 
and he said, ** The nobler you show yourself the 
more it grieves me to think that in dying without a 
knowledge of the true faith you will be lost in the 
other world. Let me advise you to save body and soul 
at once. Receive baptism, and go your way in peace. " 

Agrican replied : '^ I suspect you to be the paladin 
Orlando. If you are I would not lose this opportunity 
of fighting with you to be king of Paradise. Talk to 
me no more about your things of another world, for 
you will preach in vain. Each of us for himself, and 
let the sw^ord be umpire." 



THE SIEGE OF ALBRACCA. 3 1 

The Saracen drew his sword, boldly advancing upon 
Orlando, and a combat began, so obstinate and so long, 
each warrior being a miracle of prowess, that the story 
says it lasted from noon till night. Orlando then see- 
ing the stars come out was the first to propose a 
respite. 

** What are we to do," said he, ^^now that day- 
light has left us ? " 

Agrican answered readily enough, ^^ Let us repose in 
this meadow, and renew the combat at dawn." 

The repose was taken accordingly. Each tied up 
his horse, and reclined himself on the grass, not far 
from the other, just as if they had been friends, Orlando 
by the fountain, Agrican beneath a pine. It was a 
beautiful clear night, and, as they talked together before 
addressing them.selves to sleep, the champion of Chris- 
tendom, looking up at the firmament, said, ^^ That is 
a fine piece of workmanship, that starry spectacle ; God 
made it all, that moon of silver, and those stars of gold, 
and the light of day, and the sun, — all for the sake 
of human kind." 

*^You wish, I see, to talk of matters of faith, " said 
the Tartar. '* Now I may as well tell you at once 
that I have no sort of skill in such matters, nor learn- 
ing of any kind. I never could learn anything when 
I was a boy. I hated it so that I broke the man's 
head who was commissioned to teach me ; and it pro- 
duced such an effect on others that nobody ever after- 
wards dared so much as show me a book. My 
boyhood was therefore passed, as it should be, in 
horsemanship and hunting, and learning to fight. What 
is the good of a gentleman's poring all day over a 
book ? Prowess to the knight, and preaching to the 
clergyman, that is my motto." 



32 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

^'I acknowledge," returned Orlando, *^ that arms 
are the first consideration of a gentleman ; but not at 
all that he does himself dishonor by knowledge. On 
the contrary, knowledge is as great an embellishment 
of the rest of his attainments, as the flowers are to the 
meadow before us ; and as to the knowledge of his 
Maker, the man that is without it is no better than a 
stock or a stone or a brute beast. Neither without 
study can he reach anything of a due sense of the depth 
and divineness of the contemplation.'* 

^^ Learned or not learned," said Agrican, ^'you 
might show yourself better bred than by endeavoring 
to make me talk on a subject on which you have me at 
a disadvantage. If you choose to sleep 1 wish you 
good night ; but if y.ou prefer talking I recommend 
you to talk of fighting or of fair ladies. And, by the 
way, pray tell me, are you not that Orlando who 
makes such a noise in the world ? And what is it, pray, 
that brings you into these parts ? Were you ever in 
love ? I suppose you must have been ; for to be a 
knight, and never to have been in love, would be like 
being a man without a heart in his breast." 

The count replied : '^ Orlando I am, and in love I 
am. Love has made me abandon everything, and 
brought me into these distant regions, and, to tell you 
allin one word, my heart is in the hands of the daughter 
of King Galafron. You have come against him with 
fire and sword, to get possession of his castles and his 
dominions ; and I have come to help him, for no 
object in the world but to please his daughter and 
win her beautiful hand. I care for nothing else in 
existence." 

Now when the Tartar king, Agrican, heard his 
antagonist speak in this manner, and knew him to be 



THE SIEGE OF ALBRACCA. 33 

indeed Orlando, and to be in love with Angelica, his 
face changed color for grief and jealousy, though it could 
not be seen for the darkness. His heart began beating 
with such violence that he felt as if he should have 
died. '' Well," said he to Orlando, ** we are to fight 
when it is daylight, and one or other is to be left here, 
dead on the ground. I have a proposal to make to 
you — nay, an entreaty. My love is so excessive for 
the same lady that I beg you to leave her to me. I 
will owe you my thanks, and give up the siege and 
put an end to the war. I cannot bear that any one 
should love her, and that I should live to see it. Why, 
therefore, should either of us perish ? Give her up. 
Not a soul shall know it." 

^* I never yet," answered Orlando, ^^ made a prom- 
ise which I did not keep, and nevertheless I own to 
you that, were I to make a promise like that, and even 
swear to keep it, I should not. You might as well 
ask me to tear away the limbs from my body, and the 
eyes out of my head. I could as well live without 
breath itself as cease loving Angelica." 

Agrican had hardly patience to let him finish speak- 
ing, ere he leapt furiously on horseback, though it was 
midnight. '^Quit her," said he, ^*^or die ! " 

Orlando seeing the infidel getting up, and not being 
sure that he would not add treachery to fierceness, had 
been hardly less quick in mounting for the combat. 
^^ Never," exclaimed he ; *^ I never could have quitted 
her if I would, and now I would not if I could. You 
must seek her by other means than these." 

Fiercely dashed their horses together, in the night- 
time, on the green mead. Despiteful and terrible 
were the blows they gave and took by the moonlight. 
Agrican fought in a rage, Orlando was cooler. And 



34 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

now the struggle had lasted more than five hours, 
and day began to dawn, when the Tartar king, furious 
to find so much troc^ble given him, dealt his enemy a 
blow sharp and violent beyond conception. It cut the 
shield in two as if it had been made of wood, and, 
though blood could not be drawn from Orlando, be- 
cause he was fated, it shook and bruised him as if it 
had started every joint in his body. 

His body only, however, not a particle of his soul. 
So dreadful was the blow which the paladin gave in 
return, that not only shield, but every bit of mail on 
the body of Agrican was broken in pieces, and three 
of his ribs cut asunder. 

The Tartar, roaring like a lion, raised his sword 
with still greater vehemence than before, and dealt a 
blow on the paladin's helmet, such as he had never yet 
received from mortal man. For a moment it took 
away his senses. His sight failed, his ears tinkled, his 
frightened horse turned about to fly ; and he was falling 
from the saddle, when the very action of falling threw 
his head upwards, and thus recalled his recollection. 

*^ What a shame is this ! " thought he ; ^^ how shall 
I ever again dare to face Angelica ! I have been fight- 
ing hour after hour with this man, and he is but one, 
and I call myself Orlando ! If the combat last any 
longer I will bury myself in a monastery, and never look 
on sword again." 

Orlando muttered with his lips closed and his teeth 
ground together ; and you might have thought that fire 
instead of breath came out of his nose and mouth. 
He raised his sword Durindana with both his hands, 
and sent it down so tremendously on Agrican' s shoulder 
that it cut through breastplate down to the very haunch, 
nay, crushed the saddle-bow, though it was made of 



RINALDO AND ORLANDO. 35 

bone and iron, and felled man and horse to the earth. 
Agrican turned as white as ashes, and felt death upon 
him. He called Orlando to come close to him, with 
a gentle voice, and said, as well as he could : *' I be- 
lieve on Him who died on the cross. Baptize me, I 
pray thee, with the fountain, before my senses are gone. 
I have lived an evil life, but need not be rebellious to 
God in death also. May He who came to save all the 
rest of the world save me ! " And he shed tears, 
that great king, though he had been so lofty and fierce. 

Orlando dismounted quickly, with his own face in 
tears. He gathered the king tenderly in his arms, 
and took and laid him by the fountain, on a marble 
rim that it had, and then he wept in concert with him 
heartily, and asked his pardon, and so baptized him in 
the water of the fountain, and knelt and prayed to God 
for him with joined hands. 

He then paused and looked at him ; and when he 
perceived his countenance changed, and that his whole 
person was cold, he left him there on the marble rim 
of the fountain, all armed as he was, with the sword 
by his side, and the crown upon his head. 



ADVENTURES OF RINALDO AND 
ORLANDO. 

We left Rinaldo when, having overcome the mon- 
ster, he quitted the castle of Altaripa, and pursued his 
way on foot. He soon met with a weeping damsel, 
who, being questioned as to the cause of her sorrow, 
told him she was in search of one to do battle to rescue 
her lover, who had been made prisoner by a vile en- 
chantress, together with Orlando and many more. 



36 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

The damsel was Flordelis, the lady-love of Florismart, 
and Rinaldo promised his assistance, trusting to accom- 
plish the adventure either by valor or skill. Flordelis 
insisted upon Rinaldo's taking her horse, which he con- 
sented to do, on condition of her mounting behind him. 

As they rode on through a wood, they heard strange 
noises, and Rinaldo, reassuring the damsel, pressed 
forward towards the quarter from which they proceeded. 
He soon perceived a giant standing under a vaulted 
cavern, with a huge club in his hand, and of an appear- 
ance to strike the boldest spirit with dread. By the 
side of the cavern was chained a griffin, which, to- 
gether with the giant, was stationed there to guard a 
wonderful horse, the same which was once Argalia's. 
This horse was a creature of enchantment, matchless 
in vigor, speed, and form, which disdained to share the 
diet of his fellow-steeds, — corn or grass, — and fed 
only on air. His name was Rabican. 

This marvellous horse, after his master Argalia had 
been slain by Ferrau, finding himself at liberty, returned 
to his native cavern, and was here stabled under the 
protection, of the giant and the griffin. As Rinaldo 
approached, the giant assailed him with his club. 
Rinaldo defended himself from the giant's blows, and 
gave him one in return, which, if his skin had not been 
of the toughest, would have finished the combat. But 
the giant, though wounded, escaped, and let loose the 
griffin. This monstrous bird towered in air, and 
thence pounced down upon Rinaldo, who, watching 
his opportunity, dealt her a desperate wound. She 
had, however, strength for another flight, and kept 
repeating her attacks, which Rinaldo parried as he 
could, while the damsel stood trembling by, witnessing 
the contest. 



RINALDO AND ORLANDO. 37 

The battle continued, rendered more terrible by the 
approach of night, when Rinaldo determined upon a 
desperate expedient to bring it to a conclusion. He 
fell, as if fainting from his wounds, and, on the close 
approach of the griffin, dealt her a blow which sheared 
away one of her wings. The beast, though sinking, 
griped him fast with her talons, digging through plate 
and mail ; but Rinaldo plied his sword in utter despera- 
tion, and at last accomplished her destruction. 

Rinaldo then entered the cavern, and found there 
the wonderful horse, all caparisoned. He was coal- 
black, except for a star of white on his forehead, and 
one white foot behind. For speed he was unrivalled, 
though in strength he yielded to Bayard. Rinaldo 
mounted upon Rabican, and issued from the cavern. 

As he pursued his way he met a fugitive from 
Agrican's army, who gave such an account of the 
prowess of a champion v\^ho fought on the side of 
Angehca, that Rinaldo was persuaded this must be 
Orlando, though at a loss to imagine how he could 
have been freed from captivity. He determined to 
repair to the scene of the contest to satisfy his curiosity, 
and Flordelis, hoping to find Florismart with Orlando, 
consented to accompany him. 

While these things were doing, all was rout and 
dismay in the Tartarian army, from the death of 
Agrican. King Galafron, arriving at this juncture 
with an army for the relief of his capital, Albracca, 
assaulted the enemy's camp, and carried all before him. 
Rinaldo had now reached the scene of action, and was. 
looking on as an unconcerned spectator, when he was 
espied by Galafron. The king instantly recognized 
the horse Rabican, which he had given to Argalia 
when he sent him forth on his ill-omened mission to 



38 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

Paris. Possessed with the idea that the rider of the 
horse was the murderer of Argalia, Galafron rode at 
Rinaldo, and smote him with all his force. Rinaldo 
was not slow to avenge the blow, and it would have 
gone hard with the king had not his followers instantly 
closed round him and separated the combatants. 

Rinaldo thus found himself, almost without his own 
choice, enlisted on the side of the enemies of Angelica, 
which gave him no concern, so completely had his 
draught from the fountain of hate steeled his mind 
against her. 

For several successive days the struggle continued, 
without any important results, Rinaldo meeting the 
bravest knights of Angelica's party, and defeating them 
one after the other. At length he encountered Or- 
lando, and the two knights bitterly reproached one 
another for the cause they had each adopted, and en- 
gaged in a furious combat. Orlando was mounted 
upon Bayard, Rinaldo' s horse, which Agrican had by 
chance become possessed of, and Orlando had taken 
from him as the prize of victory. Bayard would not 
fight against his master, and Orlando was getting the 
worse of the encounter, when suddenly Rinaldo, seeing 
Astolpho, who for love of him had arrayed himself on 
his side, hard beset by numbers, left Orlando to rush 
to the defence of his friend. Night prevented the 
combat from being renewed ; but a challenge was given 
and accepted for their next meeting. 

But Angelica, sighing in her heart for Rinaldo, was 
not willing that he should be again exposed to so ter- 
rible a venture. She begged a boon of Orlando, 
promising she would be his if he would do her bidding. 
On receiving his promise, she enjoined him to set out 
without delay to destroy the garden of the enchantress 



RINALDO AND ORLANDO. 39 

Falerina, in which many valiant knights had been en- 
trapped, and were imprisoned. 

Orlando departed on his horse Brigliadoro, leaving 
Bayard in disgrace for his bad deportment the day 
before. Angelica, to conciliate Rinaldo, sent Bayard 
to him ; but Rinaldo remained unmoved by this as by 
all her former acts of kindness. 

When Rinaldo learned Orlando's departure, he 
yielded to the entreaties of the lady of Florismart, 
and prepared to fulfil his promise, and rescue her 
lover from the power of the enchantress. Thus both 
Rinaldo and Orlando were bound upon the same ad- 
venture, but unknown to one another. 

The castle of Falerina was protected by a river, 
which was crossed by a bridge, kept by a ruffian, 
who challenged all comers to the combat ; and such 
was his strength that he had thus far prevailed in 
every encounter, as appeared by the arms of various 
knights which he had taken from them, and piled up 
as a trophy on the shore. Rinaldo attacked him, but 
with as bad success as the rest, for the bridge-ward 
struck him $0 violent a blow with an iron mace that 
he fell to the ground. But when the villain ap- 
proached to strip him of his armor, Rinaldo seized 
him, and the bridge-ward, being unable to free him- 
self, leapt with Rinaldo into the lake, where they 
both disappeared. 

Orlando, meanwhile, in discharge of his promise to 
Angelica, pursued his way in quest of the same adven- 
ture. In passing through a wood he saw a cavalier 
armed at all points, and mounted, keeping guard over 
a lady who was bound to a tree, weeping bitterly. 
Orlando hastened to her relief, but was exhorted by 
the knight not to interfere, for she had deserved her 



40 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

fate by her wickedness. In proof of which he made 
certain charges against her. The lady denied them 
all, and Orlando believed her, defied the knight, over- 
threw him, and, releasing the lady, departed with her 
seated on his horse's croup. 

While they rode another damsel approached on a 
white palfry, who warned Orlando of impending 
danger, and informed him that he was near the garden 
of the enchantress. Orlando was delighted with the 
intelligence, and entreated her to inform him how he 
was to gain admittance. She replied that the garden 
could only be entered at sunrise, and gave him such 
instructions as would enable him to gain admittance. 
She gave him also a book in which was painted the 
garden and all that it contained, together with the 
palace of the false enchantress, where she had secluded 
herself for the purpose of executing a magic work in 
which she was engaged. This was the manufacture 
of a sword capable of cutting even through enchanted 
substances. The object of this labor, the damsel told 
him, was the destruction of a knight of the west, by 
name Orlando, who she had read in the book of Fate 
was coming to demolish her garden. Having thus 
instructed him, the damsel departed. 

Orlando, finding he must delay his enterprise till 
the next morning, now lay down and was soon asleep. 
Seeing this, the base woman whom he had rescued, 
and who was intent on making her escape to rejoin her 
paramour, mounted Brigliadoro, and rode off, carrying 
away Durindana. 

When Orlando awoke, his indignation, as may be 
supposed, was great on the discovery of the theft ; but, 
like a good knight and true, he was not to be diverted 
from his enterprise. He tore off a huge branch of an 



RINALDO AND ORLANDO. 4 1 

elm to supply the place of his sword ; and, as the sun 
rose, took his way towards the gate of the garden, 
where a dragon was on his watch. This he slew by 
repeated blows, and entered the garden, the gate of 
which closed behind him, barring retreat. Looking 
round him, he saw a fair fountain, which overflowed 
into a river, and in the centre of the fountain a figure, 
on whose forehead was written : 

" The stream which waters violet and rose, 
From hence to the enchanted palace goes." 

Following the banks of this flowing stream, and rapt 
in the delights of the charming gardenj Orlando arrived 
at the palace, and entering it, found the mistress, clad 
in white, with a crown of gold upon her head, in the 
act of viewing herself in the surface of the magic sword. 
Orlando surprised her before she could escape, deprived 
her of the weapon, and holding her fast by her long 
hair, which floated behind, threatened her with imme- 
diate death if she did not yield up her prisoners, and 
afford him the means of egress. She, however, was 
firm of purpose, making no reply, and Orlando, unable 
to move her either by threats or entreaties, was under 
the necessity of binding her to a beech, and pursuing 
his quest as he best might. 

He then bethought him of his book, and, consulting 
it, found that there was an outlet to the south, but that 
to reach it a lake was to be passed, mhabited by a 
siren, whose song was so entrancing as to be quite irre- 
sistible to whoever heard it ; but his book instructed 
him how to protect himself against this danger. Ac- 
cording to its directions, while, pursuing his path, he 
gathered abundance of flowers, which sprung all around, 
and filled his helmet and his ears with them ; then list- 



42 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

ened if he heard the birds sing. Finding that, though 
he saw the gaping beak, the swelHng throat, and ruffled 
plumes, he could not catch a note, he felt satisfied with 
his defence, and advanced toward the lake. It was 
small but deep, and so clear and tranquil that the eye 
could penetrate to the bottom. 

He had no sooner arrived upon the banks than the 
waters were seen to gurgle, and the siren, rising mid- 
way out of the pool, sung so sweetly that birds and 
beasts came trooping to the water-side to hsten. Of 
this Orlando heard nothing, but, feigning to yield to 
the charm, sank down upon the bank. The siren 
issued from the water with the intent to accomplish 
his destruction. Orlando seized her by the hair, and 
while she sang yet louder (song being her only de- 
fence) cut off her head. Then, following the direc- 
tions of the book, he stained himself all over with her 
blood. 

Guarded by this talisman, he met successively . all 
the monsters set for defence of the enchantress and 
her garden, and at length found himself again at the 
spot where he had made captive the enchantress, who 
still continued fastened to the beech. But the scene 
was changed. The garden had disappeared, and 
Falerina, before so haughty, now begged for mercy, 
assuring him that many lives depended upon the pres- 
ervation of hers. Orlando promised her life upon her 
pledging herself for the deliverance of her captives. 

This, however, was no easy task. They were not 
in her possession, but in that of a much more powerful 
enchantress. Morgana, the Lady of the Lake, the very 
idea of opposing whom made Falerina turn pale with 
fear. Representing to him the hazards of the enter- 
prise, she led him towards the dwelling of Morgana. 



RINALDO AND ORLANDO. 43 

To approach it he had to encounter the same uncour- 
teous bridge-ward who had already defeated and made 
captive so many knights, and Jast of all, Rinaldo. He 
was a churl of the most ferocious character, named 
Arridano. Morgana had provided him with impene- 
trable armor, and endowed him in such a manner that 
his strength always increased in proportion to that of 
the adversary with whom he was matched. No one 
had ever yet escaped from the contest, since, such was 
hjs power of endurance, he could breath freely under 
water. Hence, having grappled with a knight, and 
sunk with him to the bottom of the lake, he returned, 
bearing his enemy's arms in triumph to the surface. 

While Falerina was repeating her cautions and her 
counsels Orlando saw Rinaldo 's arms erected in form 
of a trophy, among other spoils made by the villain, 
and, forgetting their late quarrel, determined upon 
revenging his friend. Arriving at the pass, the churl 
presuming to bar the way, a desperate contest ensued, 
during which Falerina escaped. The churl finding 
himself overmatched at a contest of arms, resorted to 
his peculiar art, grappled his antagonist, and plunged 
with him into fhe lake. When he reached the bottom 
Orlando found himself in another world, upon a dry 
meadow, with the lake overhead, through which shone 
the beams of our sun, while the water stood on all 
sides like a crystal wall. Here the battle was renewed, 
and Orlando had in his magic sword an advantage 
which none had hitherto possessed. It had been tem- 
pered by Falerina so that no spells could avail against it. 
Thus armed, and countervailing the strength of his 
adversary by his superior skill and activity, it was not 
long before he laid him dead upon the field. 

Orlando then made all haste to return to the 



44 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

upper air, and, passing through the water, which 
opened a way before him (such was the power of the 
magic sword), he soon regained the shore, and found 
himself in a held as thickly covered with precious 
stones as the sky is with stars. 

Orlando crossed the field, nor tempted to delay his 
enterprise by gathering any of the brilliant gems spread 
all around him. He next passed into a flowery 
meadow planted with trees, covered with fruit and 
flowers, and full of all imaginable delights. 

In the middle of this meadow was a fountain, and 
fast by it lay Morgana asleep ; a lady of a lovely 
aspect, dressed in white and vermilion garments, her 
forehead well furnished with hair, while she had 
scarcely any behind. 

While Orlando stood in silence contemplating her 
beauty he heard a voice exclaim, ** Seize the fairy by 
the forelock, if thou hopest fair success." But his 
attention was arrested by another object, and he 
heeded not the warning. He saw on a sudden an 
array of lowers, pinnacles and columns, palaces with 
balconies and windows, extended alleys with trees, in 
short a scene of architectural magnificence surpassing 
all he had ever beheld. While he stood gazing in 
silent astonishment the scene slowly melted away and 
disappeared.-^ 

When he had recovered from his amazement he 
looked again toward the fountain. The fairy .had 
awaked and risen, and was dancing round its border 
with the lightness of a leaf, timing her footsteps to 
this song : 

^ This is a poetical description of a phenomenon which Is said to 
be really exhibited in the strait of Messina, between Sicily and 
Calabria. It is called Fata Morgana, or Mirage. 



RINALDO AND ORLANDO. 45 

« Who in this world would wealth and treasure share, 
Honor, delight, and state, and what is best, 
Quick let him catch me by the lock of hair 
Which flutters from my forehead 5 and be blest. 

'' But let him not the proffered good forbear. 
Nor till he seize the fleeting blessing rest ; 
For present loss is sought in vain to-morrow. 
And the deluded wretch is left in sorrow.'' 

The fairy, having sung thus, bounded off, and fled 
from the flowery meadow over a high and inaccessible 
mountain. Orlando pursued her through thorns and 
rocks, while the sky gradually became overcast, and at 
last he was assailed by tempest, lightning, and hail. 

While he thus pursued, a pale and meagre woman 
issued from a cave, armed with a whip, and, treading 
close upon his steps, scourged him with vigorous 
strokes. Her name was Repentance, and she told 
him it was her office to punish those who neglected 
to obey the voice of Prudence, and seize the fairy 
Fortune when he might. 

Orlando, furious at this chastisement, turned upon 
his tormentor, but might as well have stricken the 
wind. Finding it useless to resist, he resumed his 
chase of the fairy, gained upon her, and made frequent 
snatches at her white and vermilion garments, which 
still eluded his grasp. At last, on her turning her 
head for an instant, he profited by the chance, and 
seized her by the forelock. In an instant the tempest 
ceased, the sky became serene, and Repentance re- 
treated to her cave. 

Orlando now demanded of Morgana the keys of 
her prison, and the fairy, feigning a complacent 
aspect, delivered up a key of silver, bidding him to 



46 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

be cautious in the use of it, since to break the lock 
would be to involve himself and all in inevitable de- 
struction ; a caution v^hich gave the Count room for 
long meditation, and led him to consider 

How few amid the suitors who importune 

The dame, know how to turn the keys of Fortune. 

Keeping the fairy still fast by the forelock, Orlando 
proceeded toward the prison, turned the key, without 
occasioning the mischiefs apprehended, and delivered 
the prisoners. 

Among these were Florismart, Rinaldo, and many 
others of the bravest knights of France. Morgana 
had disappeared, and the knights, under the guidance 
of Orlando, retraced the path by which he had come. 
They soon reached the field of treasure. Rinaldo, 
finding himself amidst this mass of wealth, remembered 
his needy garrison of Montalban, and could not resist 
the temptation of seizing part of the booty. In par- 
ticular a golden chain, studded with diamonds, was too 
much for his self-denial, and he took it and was bear- 
ing it off, notwithstanding th^ remonstrances of Orlan- 
do, when a violent wind caught him and whirled him 
back, as he approached the gate. This happened a 
second and a third time, and Rinaldo at length yielded 
to necessity, rather than to the entreaties of his friends, 
and cast away his prize. 

They soon reached the bridge and passed over with- 
out hinderance to the other side, where they found 
the trophy decorated with their arms. ^ Here each 
knight resumed his own, and all, except the paladins 
and their friends, separated as their inclinations or 
duty prompted. Dudon, the Dane, one of the rescued 



THE INVASION OF FRANCE. 47 

knights, informed the cousins that he had been made 
prisoner by Morgana while in the discharge of an em- 
bassy to them from Charlemagne, who called upon 
them to return to the defence of Christendom. Orlan- 
do was too much fascinated by Angelica to obey this 
^summons, and, followed by the faithful Florismart, w^ho 
would not leaye him, returned towards Albracca. Ri- 
naldo, Dudon, Iroldo, Prasildo, and the others took 
their way toward the west. 



THE INVASION OF FRANCE. 

Agramant, King of Africa, convoked the kings, 
his vassals, to deliberate in council. He reminded 
them of the injuries he had sustained from France, 
that his father had fallen in battle vv^ith Charlemagne, 
and that his early years had hitherto not allowed him 
to wipe out the stain of former defeats. He now pro- 
posed to them to carry war into France. 

Sobrino, his wisest councillor, opposed the project, 
representing the rashness of it ; but Rodomont, the 
young and fiery king of Algiers, denounced Sobrino' s 
counsel as base and cowardly, declaring himself impa- 
tient for the enterprise. The king of the Garamantes, 
venerable for his age and renowned for his prophetic 
lore, interposed, and assured the King that such an 
attempt would be sure to fail, unless he could first 
get on his side a youth marked out by destiny as the 
fitting compeer of the most puissant knights of France, 
the young Rogero, descended in direct line from 
Hector of Troy. This prince was now a dweller 
upon the mountain Carena, where Atlantes, his foster- 



48 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

father, a powerful magician, kept him in retirement, 
having discovered by his art that his pupil would be 
lost to him if allowed to mingle with the world. To 
break the spells of Atlantes, and draw Rogero from 
his retirement, one only means was to be found. It 
was a ring possessed by Angelica, Princess of Cathay, 
which was a talisman against all enchantments. If 
this ring could be procured all would go well ; with- 
out it the enterprise was desperate. 

Rodomont treated this declaration of the old prophet 
with scorn, and it would probably have been held of 
little weight by the council, had not the aged king, 
oppressed by the weight of years, expired in the very 
act of reaffirming his prediction. This made so deep 
an impression on the council that it was unanimously 
resolved to postpone the war until an effort should be 
made to win Rogero to the camp. 

King Agramant thereupon proclaimed that the sov- 
ereignty of a kingdom should be the reward of whoever 
should succeed in obtaining the ring of Angelica. 
Brunello., the dwarf, the subtlest thief in all Africa, 
undertook to procure it. 

In prosecution of this design, he made the best of 
his way to Angehca's kingdom, and arrived beneath 
the walls of Albracca while the besieging army was 
encamped before the fortress. While the attention of 
the garrison was absorbed by the batde that raged 
below he scaled the walls, approached the Princess 
unnoticed, slipped the ring from her finger, and escaped 
unobserved. He hastened to the seaside, and, finding 
a vessel ready to sail, embarked, and arrived at Biserta, 
in Africa. Here he found Agramant impatient for 
the talisman which was to foil the enchantments of 
Adantes and to put Rogero into his hands. The 



THE INVASION OF FRANCE. 49 

dwarf, kneeling before the king, presented him with 
the ring, and Agramant, delighted at the success of his 
mission, crowned him in recompense King of Tingi- 
tana. 

All were now anxious to go in quest of Rogero. 
The cavalcade accordingly departed, and in due time 
arrived at the mountain of Carena. 

At the bottom of this was a fruitful and well-wooded 
plain, watered by a large river, and from this plain 
was descried a beautiful garden on the mountain-top, 
which contained the mansion of Atlantes ; but the ring, 
which discovered what was before invisible, could not, 
though it revealed this paradise, enable Agramant or 
his followers to enter it. So steep and smooth was 
the rock by nature, that even Brunello failed in every 
attempt to scale it. He did not, for this, despair of 
accomplishing the object ; but, having obtained Agra- 
mant' s consent, caused the assembled courtiers and 
knights to celebrate a tournament upon the plain below. 
This was done with the view of seducing Rogero from 
his fastness, and the stratagem was attended with 
success. 

Rogero joined the tourney, and was presented by 
Agramant with a spendid horse, Frontino, and a 
magnificent sword. Having learned from Agramant 
his intended invasion of France, he gladly consented to 
join the expedition. 

Rodomont, meanwhile, was too impatient to wait 
for Agramant's arrangements, and embarked with all 
the forces he could raise, made good his landing on 
the coast of France, and routed the Christians in several 
encounters. Previously to this, however, Gano, or 
Ganelon (as he is sometimes called), the traitor, enemy 
of Orlando and the other nephews of Charlemagne, 



50 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

had entered into a traitorous correspondence with 
Marsilius, the Saracen king of Spain, whom he invited 
into France. Marsilius, thus encouraged, led an army 
across the frontiers, and joined Rodomont. This was 
the situation of things when Rinaldo and the other 
knights who had obeyed the summons of Dudon set 
forward on their return to France. 

When they arrived at Buda in Hungary they found 
the king of that country about despatching his son, 
Ottachiero, with an army to the succor of Charle- 
magne. Delighted with the arrival of Rinaldo, he 
placed his son and troops under his command. In due 
time the army arrived on the frontiers of France, and, 
united with the troops of Desiderius, king of Lom- 
bardy, poured down into Provence. The confederate 
armies had not marched many days through this gay 
tract before they heard a crash of drums and trumpets 
behind the hills, which spoke the conflict between the 
paynims, led by Rodomont, and the Christian forces. 
Rinaldo, witnessing from a mountain the prowess of 
Rodomont, left his troops in charge of his friends, and 
galloped towards him with his lance in rest. The 
impulse was irresistible, and Rodomont was unhorsed. 
But Rinaldo, unwilling to avail himself of his advantage, 
galloped back to the hill, and having secured Bayard 
among the baggage, returned to finish the combat on foot. 

During this interval the battle had become general, 
the Hungarians were routed, and Rinaldo, on his re- 
turn, had the mortification to find that Ottachiero was 
wounded, and Dudon taken prisoner. While he 
sought Rodomont in order to renew the combat a new 
sound of drums and trumpets was heard, and Charle- 
magne, with the main body of his army, was descried 
advancing in battle array. 



THE INVASION OF FRANCE. 5 1 

Rodomont, seeing this, mounted the horse of Dudon, 
left Rinaldo, who was on foot, and galloped off to 
encounter this new enemy. 

Agramant, accompanied hy Rogero, had by this 
time made good his landing, and joined Rodomont 
with all his forces. Rogero eagerly embraced this 
first opportunity of distinguishing himself, and spread 
terror wherever he went, encountering in turn and 
overthrowing many of the bravest knights of France. 
At length he found himself opposite to Rinaldo, wh^o, 
being interrupted, as we have said, in his combat with 
Rodomont, and unable to follow him, being on foot, 
was shouting to his late foe to return and finish their 
combat. Rogero also was on foot, and seeing the 
Christian knight so eager for a contest, proffered him- 
self to supply the place of his late antagonist. Ri- 
naldo saw at a glance that the Moorish prince was a 
champion worthy of his arm, and gladly accepted the 
defiance. The cornbat was stoutly maintained for a 
time ; but now fortune declared decisively in favor of 
the infidel army, and Charlemagne's forces gave way 
at all points in irreparable confusion. The two com- 
batants were separated by the crowd of fugitives and 
pursurers, and Rinaldo hastened to recover possession 
of his horse. But Bayard, in the confusion, had got 
loose, and Rinaldo followed him into a thick wood, 
thus becoming effectually separated from Rogero. 

Rogero, also seeking his horse in the medley, came 
where two warriors were engaged in mortal combat. 
Though he knew not who they were, he could dis- 
tinguish that one was a paynim_ and the other a Chris- 
tian ; and moved by the spirit of courtesy he 
approached them and exclaimed, *^ Let him of the 
two who worships Christ pause, and hear what I have 



52 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

to say. The army of Charles is routed and in flight, 
so that if he wishes to follow his leader he has no time 
for delay." The Christian knight, who was none 
other than Bradamante, a female warrior, in prowess 
equal to the best of knights, was thunderstruck with 
the tidings, and would gladly leave the contest unde- 
cided, and retire from the field ; but Rodomont, her 
antagonist, would by no means consent, Rogero, 
indignant at his discourtesy, insisted upon her depart- 
ure, while he took up her quarrel with Rodomont. 

The combat, obstinately maintained on both sides, 
was interrupted by the return of Bradamante. Find- 
ing herself unable to overtake the fugitives, and reluc- 
tant to leave to another the burden and risk of a 
contest which belonged to herself, she had returned to 
reclaim the combat. She arrived, however, when her 
champion had dealt his enemy such a blow as obliged 
him to drop both his sword and bridle. Rogero, dis- 
daining to profit by his adversary's defenceless situa- 
tion, sat apart upon his horse, while that of Rodo- 
mont bore his rider, stunned and stupefied, about the 
field. 

Bradamante approached Rogero, conceiving a yet 
higher opinion of his valor on beholding such an in- 
stance of forbearance. She addressed him, excusing 
herself for leaving him exposed to an enemy from his 
interference in her cause ; pleading her duty to her 
sovereign as the motive. While she spoke Rodomont, 
recovered from his confusion, rode up to them. His 
bearing was, however, changed ; and he disclaimed 
all thoughts of further contest with one who, he said, 
** had already conquered him by his courtesy." So 
saying, he quitted his antagonist, picked up his sword, 
and spurred out of sight. 



THE INVASION OF FRANCE. 53 

Bradamante was now again desirous of retiring from 
the field, and Rogero insisted on accompanying her, 
though yet unaware of her sex. 

As they pursued their way, she inquired the name 
and quaHty of her new associate ; and Rogero informed 
her of his nation and family. He told her that Asty- 
anax, the son of Hector of Troy, estabHshed the king- . 
dom of Messina in Sicily. From him were derived 
two branches, which gave origin to two families ot 
renown. From one sprang the royal race of Pepin 
and Charlemagne, and from the other, that of Reggio, 
in Italy. ^' From that of Reggio am I derived," he 
continued. ^^ My mother, driven from her home by 
the chance of war, died in giving me Hfe, and I was 
taken in charge by a sage enchanter, who trained me 
to feats of arms amidst the dangers of the desert and 
the chase." 

Having thus ended his tale, Rogero entreated a 
similar return of courtesy from his companion, who 
replied, without disguise, that she was of the race of. 
Clermont, and sister to Rinaldo, whose fame was per- 
haps known to him. Rogero, much moved by this 
intelligence, entreated her to take off her helmet, and 
at the discovery of her face remained transported with 
delight. 

While absorbed in this contemplation, an unexpected 
danger assailed them. A party which was placed in a 
wood, in order to intercept the retreating Christians, 
broke from its ambush upon the pair, and Bradamante, 
who was uncasqued, was wounded in the head. 
Rogero was in a fury at this attack ; and Bradamante, 
replacing her helmet, joined him in taking speedy ven- 
geance on their enemies. They cleared the field of 
them, but became separated in the pursuit, and Rogero, 



54 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

quitting the chase, wandered by hill and vale in search 
of her whom he had no sooner found than lost. 

While pursuing this quest he fell in with two knights, 
whom he joined, and engaged them to assist him in the 
search of his companion, describing her arras, but con- 
cealing, from a certain feeling of jealousy, her quahty 
and sex. 

It was evening when they joined company, and hav- 
ing ridden together through the night the morning was 
beginning to break, when one of the strangers, fixing 
his eyes upon Rogero's shield, demanded of him by 
what right he bore the Trojan arms. Rogero declared 
his origin and race, and then, in his turn, interrogated 
the inquirer as to his pretensions to the cognizance of 
Hector, which he bore. The stranger repHed, ** My 
name is Mandricardo, son of Agrican, the Tartar king, 
whom Orlando treacherously slew. I say treacherouslyy 
for in fair fight he could not have done it. It is in 
search of him that I have come to France, to take 
vengeance for my father, and to wrest from him Durin- 
dana, that famous sword, which belongs to me, and 
not to him." When the knights demanded to know 
by what right he claimed Durindana, Mandricardo thus 
related his history : 

** I had been, before the death of my father, a wild 
and reckless youth. That event awakened my energies, 
and drove me forth to seek for vengeance. Determined 
to owe success to nothing but my own exertions, I 
departed without attendants or horse or arms. Travel- 
ling thus alone, and on foot, I espied one day a pavilion, 
pitched near a fountain, and entered it, intent on ad- 
venture. I found therein a damsel of gracious aspect, 
who repHed to my inquiries that the fountain was the 
work of a fairy, whose castle stood beyond a neighbor- 



THE INVASION OF FRANCE. 55 

ing hill, where she kept watch over a treasure which 
many knights had tried to win, but fruitlessly, having 
lost their life or liberty in the attempt. This treasure 
was the ^ armor of Hector, prince of Troy, whom 
Achilles treacherously slew. Nothing was wanting 
but his sword, Durindana, and this had fallen into the 
possession of a queen named Penthesilea, from whom 
it passed through her descendants to Almontes, whom 
Orlando slew, and thus became possessed of the sword. 
The rest of Hector's arms were saved and carried off 
by ^neas, from whom this fairy received them in rec- 
ompense of service rendered. ' If you have the courage 
to attempt their acquisition,' said the damsel, *^ I will 
be your guide.' " 

Mandricardo went on to say that he eagerly embraced 
the proposal, and being provided with horse and armor 
by the damsel, set forth on his enterprise, the lady 
accompanying him. 

As they rode she explained the dangers of the quest. 
The armor was defended by a champion, one of the 
numerous unsuccessful adventurers for the prize, all of 
whom had been made prisoners by the fairy, and com- 
pelled to take their turn, day by day, in defending the 
arms against all comers. Thus speaking they arrived 
at the castle, which was of alabaster, overlaid with gold. 
Before it, on a lawn, sat an armed knight on horseback, 
who was none other than Gradasso, king of Sericane, 
who, in his return home from his unsuccessful inroad 
into France, had fallen into the power of the fairy, and 
was held to do her bidding. Mandricardo, upon seeing 
him, dropt his visor, and laid his lance in rest. The 
champion of the castle was equally ready, and each 
spurred towards his opponent. They met one another 
with equal force, sphntered their spears, and, returning 



56 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

to the charge, encountered with their swords. The 
contest was long and doubtful, when Mandricardo, 
determined to bring it to an end, threw his arms about 
Gradasso, grappled with him, and both fell to the 
ground. Mandricardo, however, fell uppermost, and, 
preserving his advantage, compelled Gradasso to yield 
himself conquered. The damsel now interfered, con- 
gratulating the victor, and consoling the vanquished as 
well as she might. 

Mandricardo and tlie damsel proceeded to the gate 
of the castle, which they found undefended. As they 
entered they beheld a shield suspended from a pilaster 
of gold. The device was a white eagle on an azure 
field, in memory of the bird of Jove, which bore away 
Ganymede, the flower of the Phrygian race. Beneath 
was engraved the following couplet : 

«' Let none with hand profane my buckler wrong 
Unless he be himself as Hector strong." 

The damsel, alighting from her palfrey, made obei- 
sance to the arms, bending herself to the ground. The 
Tartar king bowed his head with equal reverence ; 
then advancing towards the shield, touched it with his 
sword. Thereupon an earthquake shook the ground, 
and the way by which he had entered closed. An- 
other and an opposite gate opened, and displayed a 
field bristling with stalks and grain of gold. The dam- 
sel, upon this, told him that he had no means of 
retreat but by cutting down the harvest which was 
before him, and by uprooting a tree which grew in the 
middle of the field. Mandricardo, without replying, 
began to mow the harvest with his sword, but had 
scarce smitten thrice when he perceived that every stalk 



THE INVASION OF FRANCE. 



57 



that fell was instantly transformed into some pOiSonous 
or ravenous animal, which prepared to assail him. 
Instructed by the damsel, he snatched up a stone and 
cast it among the pack. A strange wonder followed ; 
for no sooner had the stone fallen among the beasts, 
than they turned their rage against one another, and 
rent each other to pieces. Mandricardo did not stop 
to marvel at the miracle, but proceeded to fulfil his 
task, and uproot the tree. He clasped it round the 
trunk, and made vigorous efforts to tear it up by the 
roots. At each effort fell a shower of leaves, that 
were instantly changed into birds of prey, which 
attacked the knight, flapping their wings in his face, 
with horrid screeching. Bat undismayed by this new 
annoyance, he continued to tug at the trunk till it 
yielded to his efforts. A burst of wind and thunder 
followed, and the hawks and vultures flew screaming 
away. 

But these only gave place to a new foe ; for from 
the hole made by tearing up the tree issued a furious 
serpent, and, darting at Mandricardo, wound herself 
about his limbs with a strain that almost crushed him. 
Fortune, however, again stood his friend, for, writh- 
ing under the folds of the monster, he fell backwards 
into the hole, and his enemy was crushed beneath his 
weight. 

Mandricardo, when he was somewhat recovered, 
and assured himself of the destruction of the serpent, 
began to contemplate the place into which he had 
fallen, and saw that he was in a vault, incrusted 
with costly metals, and illuminated by a live coal. 
In the middle was a sort of ivory bier, and upon 
this was extended what appeared to be a knight in 
armor, but was in truth an empty trophy, composed 



58 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

of the rich and precious arms once Hector's, to which 
nothing was wanting but the sword. While Mandri- 
cardo stood contemplating the prize a door opened 
behind him, and a bevy of fair damsels entered, danc- 
ing, who, taking up the armor piece by piece, led 
him away to the place where the shield was suspended ; 
where he found the fairy of the castle seated in state. 
By her he was invested with the arms he had won, 
first pledging his solemn oath to wear no other blade 
but Durindana, which he was to wrest from Orlando, 
and thus complete the conquest of Hector's arms. 



THE INVASION OF FRANCE. 

( Continued, ) 

Mandricardo, having completed his story, now 
turned to Rogero, and proposed that arms should de- 
cide which of the two was most worthy to bear the 
symbol of the Trojan knight. 

Rogero felt no other objection to this proposal than 
the scruple which arose on observing that his antago- 
nist was without a sword. Mandricardo insisted that 
this need be no impediment, since his oath prevented 
him from using a sword until he should have achieved 
the conquest of Durindana. 

This was no sooner said than a new antagonist 
started up in Gradasso, who now accompanied Man- 
dricardo. Gradasso vindicated his prior right to Du- 
rindana, to obtain which he had embarked (as was 
related in the beginning) in that bold inroad upon 
France. A quarrel was thus kindled between the 
kings of Tartary and Sericane. While the dispute 



THE INVASION OF FRANCE. 59 

was raging a knight arrived upon the ground, accom- 
panied by a damsel, to whom Rogero related the 
cause of the strife. The knight was Florismart, and 
his companion Flordelis. Florismart succeeded in 
bringing the two champions to accord, by informing 
them that he could bring them to the presence of Or- 
lando, the master of Durindana. 

Gradasso and Mandricardo readily made truce, in 
order to accompany Florismart, nor would Rogero be 
left behind. 

As they proceeded on their quest they were met 
by a dwarf, who entreated their assistance in behalf 
of his lady, who had been carried off by an enchanter, 
mounted on a winged horse. However unwilling to 
leave the question of the sword undecided, it was not 
possible for the knights to resist this appeal. Two 
of their number, Gradasso and Rogero, therefore ac- 
companied the dwarf. Mandricardo persisted in his 
search for Orlando, and Florismart, with Flordelis, 
pursued their way to the camp of Charlemagne. 

Atlantes, the enchanter, who had brought up Rogero, 
and cherished for him the warmest affection, knew by 
his art that his pupil was destined to be severed from 
him, and converted to the Christian faith through the 
influence of Bradamante, that royal maiden with whom 
chance had brought him acquainted. Thinking to 
thwart the will of Heaven in this respect, he nov*^ put 
forth all his arts to entrap Rogero into his power. 
By the aid of his subservient demons he reared a 
castle on an inaccessible height, in the Pyrenean moun- 
tains, and to make it a pleasant abode to his pupil, 
contrived to entrap and convey thither knights and 
damsels many a one, whom chance had brought into 
the vicinitv of his casde. Here, in a sort of sensual 



6o LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

paradise, they were but too willing to forget glory 
and duty, and to pass their time in indolent enjoy- 
ment. 

It was by the enchanter that the dwarf had now 
been sent to tempt the knights into his power. 

But we must now return to Rinaldo, whom we left 
interrupted in his combat with Rodomont. In search 
of his late antagonist and intent on bringing their 
combat to a decision he entered the forest of Arden, 
whither he suspected Rodomont had gone. While 
engaged on this quest he was surprised by the vision 
of a beautiful child dancing naked, with three damsels 
as beautiful as himself. While he was lost in admi- 
ration at the sight the child approached him, and, 
throwing at him handfuls of roses and lilies, struck him 
from his horse. He was no sooner down than he was 
seized by the dancers, by whom he was dragged about 
and scourged with flowers till he fell into a swoon. 
When he began to revive one of the group approached 
him, and told him that his punishment was the con- 
sequence of his rebellion against that power before 
whom all things bend ; that there was but one remedy 
to heal the wounds that had been inflicted, and that 
was to drink of the waters of Love. Then they left 
him. 

Rinaldo, sore and faint, dragged himself toward a 
fountain which flowed near by, and, being parched 
with thirst, drank greedily and almost unconsciously 
of the water, which was sweet to the taste, but bitter 
at the heart. After repeated draughts he recovered 
his strength and recollection, and found himself in the 
same place where Angelica had formerly awakened 
him with a rain of flowers, and whence he had fled 
in contempt of her courtesy. 



THE INVASION OF FRANCE. 6 1 

This remembrance of the scene was followed by the 
recognition of his crime ; and, repenting bitterly his 
ingratitude, he leaped upon Bayard, with the intention 
of hastening to AngeHca's country, and soliciting his 
pardon at her feet. 

Let us now retrace our steps, and revert to the time 
when the paladins, having learned from Dudon the 
summons of Charlemagne to return to France to repel 
the invaders, had all obeyed the command with the 
exception of Orlando, whose passion for AngeHca still 
held him in attendance on her. Orlando, arriving 
before Albracca, found it closely beleaguered. He, 
however, made his way into the citadel, and related 
his adventures to Angelica, from the time of his de- 
parture up to his separation from Rinaldo and the rest, 
when they departed to the assistance of Charlemagne. 
Angelica, in return, described the distresses of the gar- 
rison, and the force of the besiegers ; and in conclusion 
prayed Orlando to favor her escape from the pressing 
danger, and escort her into France. Orlando, who 
did not suspect that love for Rinaldo was her secret 
motive, joyfully agreed to the proposal, and the sally 
was resolved upon. 

Leaving lights burning in the fortress, they departed 
at nightfall, and passed in safety through the enemy's 
camp. After encountering numerous adventures they 
reached the sea-side, and embarked on board a pinnace 
for France. The vessel arrived safely, and the travel- 
lers, disembarking in Provence, pursued their way by 
land. One day, heated and weary, they sought shel- 
ter from the sun in the forest of Arden, and chance 
directed Angelica to the fountain of Disdain, of whose 
waters she eagerly drank. 

Issuing thence, the Count and damsel encountered a 



62 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

stranger-knight. It was no other than Rinaldo, who 
was just on the point of setting off on a pilgrimage in 
search of Angelica, to implore her pardon for his in- 
sensibihty, and urge his new found passion. Surprise 
and delight at first deprived him of utterance, but soon 
recovering himself, he joyfully saluted her, claiming her 
as his, and exhorting her to put herself under his pro- 
tection. His presumption was repelled by Angelica 
with disdain, and Orlando, enraged at the invasion of 
his rights, challenged him to decide their claims by 
arms. 

Terrified at the combat which ensued, Angelica fled 
amain through the forest, and came out upon a plain 
covered with tents. This was the camp of Charle- 
magne, who led the army of reserve destined to sup- 
port the troops which had advanced to oppose Marsilius. 
Charles having heard the damsel's tale, with difficulty 
separated the two cousins, and then consigned Angelica, 
as the cause of quarrel, to the care of Namo, Duke of 
Bavaria, promising that she should be his who should 
best deserve her in the impending battle. 

But these plans and hopes were frustrated. The 
Christian army, beaten at all points, fled from the Sara- 
cens ; and Angelica, indifferent to both her lovers, 
mounted a swift palfrey and plunged into the forest, 
rejoicing, in spite of her terror, at having regained her 
liberty. She stopped at last in a tufted grove, where a 
gentle zephyr blew, and whose young trees were 
watered by two clear runnels, which came and mingled 
their waters, making a pleasing murmur. Believing 
herself far from Rinaldo, and overcome by fatigue and 
the summer heat, she saw with delight a bank covered 
with flowers so thick that they almost hid the green turf, 
inviting her to alight and rest. She dismounted from 



THE INVASION OF FRANCE. 63 

her palfrey, and turned him loose to recruit his strength 
with the tender grass which bordered the streamlets. 
Then, in a sheltered nook tapestried with moss and 
fenced in with roses and hawthorn-flowers, she yielded 
herself to grateful repose. 

She had not slept long when she was awakened by 
the noise made by the approach of a horse. Starting 
up, she saw an armed knight who had arrived at the 
bank of the stream. Not knowing whether he was to 
be feared or not, her heart beat with anxiety. She 
pressed aside the leaves to allow her to see who it was, 
but scarce dared to breathe for fear of betraying herself. 
Soon the knight threw himself on the flowery bank, and 
leaning his head on his hand fell into a profound reverie. 
Then arousing himself from his silence he began to 
pour forth complaints, mingled with deep sighs. Rivers 
of tears flowed down his cheeks, and his breast seemed 
to labor with a hidden flame. '^ Ah, vain regrets ! " 
he exclaimed ; *' cruel fortune ! others triumph, while 
I endure hopeless misery ! Better a thousand times 
to lose life, than wear a chain so disgraceful and so 
oppressive ! " 

Angelica by this time had recognized the stranger, 
and perceived that it was Sacripant, king of Circassia, 
one of the worthiest of her suitors. This prince had 
followed Angelica from his country, at the very gates 
of the day, to France, where he heard with dismay that 
she was under the guardianship of the Paladin Orlando, 
and that the Emperor had announced his decree to 
award her as the prize of valor to that one of his 
nephews who should best deserve her. 

As Sacripant continued to lament, Angelica, who 
had always opposed the hardness of marble to his 
sighs, thought with herself that nothing forbade her 



64 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

employing his good offices in this unhappy crisis. 
Though firmly resolved never to accept him as a 
spouse, she yet felt the necessity of giving him a 
gleam of hope in reward for the service she required 
of him. All at once, like Diana, she stepped forth 
from the arbor. '* May the gods preserve thee," she 
said, '^ and put far from thee all hard thoughts of 
me !" Then she told him all that had befallen her 
since she parted with him at her father's court, and 
how she had availed herself of Orlando's protection to 
escape from the beleaguered city. At that moment 
the noise of horse and armor was heard as of one 
approaching ; and Sacripant, furious at the interruption, 
resumed his helmet, mounted his horse, and placed his 
lance in rest. He saw a knight advancing, with scarf 
and plume of snowy whiteness. Sacripant regarded 
him with angry eyes, and, while he was yet some dis- 
tance off, defied him to the combat. The other, not 
moved by his angry tone to make reply, put himself 
on his defence. Their horses, struck at the same 
moment with the spur, rushed upon one another with 
the impetuosity of a tempest. Their shields were 
pierced each with the other's lance, and only the 
temper of their breastplates saved their lives. Both the 
horses recoiled with the violence of the shock ; but 
the unknown knight's recovered itself at the touch of 
the spur ; the Saracen king's fell dead, and bore down 
his master with him. The white knight, seeing his 
enemy in this condition, cared not to renew the com- 
bat, but, thinking he had done enough for glory, pur- 
sued his way through the forest, and was a mile off 
before Sacripant had got free from his horse. 

As a ploughman, stunned by a thunder-clap which 
has stricken dead the oxen at his plough, stands motion- 



THE INVASION OF FRANCE. 65 

less, sadly contemplating his loss, so Sacripant stood 
confounded and overwhelmed with mortification at 
having Angelica a witness of his defeat. He groaned, 
he sighed, Jess from the pain of his bruises than for 
the shame of being reduced to such a state before her. 
The princess took pity on him, and consoled him as 
well as she could. ** Banish your regrets, my lord," 
she said, *'this accident has happened solely in conse- 
quence of the feebleness of your horse, which had 
more need of rest and food than of such an encounter 
as this. Nor can your adversary gain any credit by 
it, since he has hurried away, not venturing a second 
trial/' While she thus consoled Sacripant they per- 
ceived a person approach, who seemed a courier, with 
bag and horn. As soon as he came up, he accosted 
Sacripant, and inquired if he had seen a knight pass 
that way, bearing a white shield and with a white 
plume to his helmet. **I have, indeed, seen too much 
of him," said Sacripant, ^'it is he who has brought 
me to the ground ; but at least I hope to learn from 
you who that knight is." '"^ That I can easily inform 
you," said the man ; ** know then that, if you have 
been overthrown, you owe your fate to the high 
prowess of a lady as beautiful as she is brave. It is the 
fair and illustrious Bradamante who has won from you 
the honors of victory." 

At these words the courier rode on his way, leaving 
Sacripant more confounded and mortified than ever. 
In silence he mounted the horse of Angelica, taking 
the lady behind him on the croup, and rode away in 
search of a more secure asylum. Hardly had they 
ridden two miles when a new sound was heard in the 
forest, and they perceived a gallant and powerful 
horse^ which, leaping the ravines and dashing aside the 



66 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

branches that opposed his passage, appeared before 
them, accoutred with a rich harness adorned with 
gold. 

^* If I may believe my eyes, which penetrate with 
difficulty the underwood," said Angelica, ^'that horse 
that dashes so stoutly through the bushes is Bayard, 
and I marvel how he seems to know the need we have 
of him, mounted as we are both on one feeble animal." 
Sacripant, dismounting from the palfrey, approached 
the fiery courser, and attempted to seize his bridle, but 
the disdainful animal, turning from him, launched at 
him a volley of kicks enough to have shattered a wall 
of marble. Bayard then approached Angelica with an 
air as gentle and loving as a faithful dog could his 
master after a long separation. For he remembered 
how she had caressed him, and even fed him, in Al- 
bracca. She took his bridle in her left hand, while 
with her right she patted his neck. The beautiful 
animal, gifted with wonderful intelligence, seemed to 
submit entirely. Sacripant, seizing the moment to 
vault upon him, controlled his curvetings, and Angelica, 
quitting the croup of the palfrey, regained her seat. 

But, turning his eyes toward a place where was 
heard a noise of arms, Sacripant beheld Rinaldo. 
That hero now loves Angelica more than his life, and 
she flies him as the timid crane the falcon. 

The fountain of which Angelica had drunk produced 
such an effect on the beautiful queen that, with dis- 
tressed countenance and trembHng voice, she conjured 
Sacripant not to wait the approach of Rinaldo, but to 
join her in flight. 

** Am I, then," said Sacripant, <*of so litde esteem 
with you that you doubt my power to defend you ? 
Do you forget the battle of Albracca, and how, in 



THE INVASION OF FRANCE. 67 

your defence, I fought single-handed against Agrican 
and all his knights ? " 

Angelica made no reply, uncertain what to do ; but 
already Rinaldo was too near to be escaped. He ad- 
vanced menacingly to the Circassian king, for he rec- 
ognized his horse. 

^« Vile thief," he cried, ** dismount from that horse, 
and prevent the punishment that is your due for daring 
to rob me of my property. Leave, also, the princess 
in my hands ; for it w^ould indeed be a sin to suffer so 
charming a lady and so gallant a charger to remain in 
such keeping." 

The king of Circassia, furious at being thus insulted, 
cried out, *^ Thou hest, villain, in giving me the name 
of thief, which better belongs to thyself than to me. 
It is true, the beauty of this lady and the perfection 
of this horse are unequalled ; come on, then, and let 
us try which of us is most worthy to possess them." 

At these words the king of Circassia and Rinaldo 
attacked one another with all their force, one fighting 
on foot, the other on horseback. You need not, how- 
ever, suppose that the Saracen king found any advan- 
tage in this ; for a young page, unused to horsemanship, 
could not have failed more completely to manage Bay- 
ard than did this accomplished knight. The faithful 
animal loved his master too well to injure him, and 
refused his aid as well as his obedience to the hand of 
Sacripant, who could strike but ineffectual blows, the 
horse backing when he wished him to go forward, and 
dropping his head and arching his back, throwing out 
with his legs, so as almost to shake the knight out of 
the saddle. Sacripant, seeing that he could not man- 
age him, watched his opportunity, rose on his saddle, 
3nd leapt lightly to the earth ; then, relieved from the 



68 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

embarrassment of the horse, renewed the combat on 
more equal terms. Their skill to thrust and parry 
were equal ; one rises, the other stoops ; with one foot 
set firm they turn and wind, to lay on strokes or to 
dodge them. At last Rinaldo, throwing himself on 
the Circassian, dealt him a blow so terrible that Fus- 
berta, his good sword, cut in two the buckler of Sacri- 
pant, although it was made of bone, and covered with 
a thick plate of steel well tempered. The arm of the 
Saracen was deprived of its defence, and almost palsied 
with the stroke. Angelica, perceiving how victory 
was likely to incHne, and shuddering at the thought of 
becoming the prize of Rinaldo, hesitated no longer. 
Turning her horse's head, she fled with the utmost 
speed ; and, in spite of the round pebbles which cov- 
ered a steep descent, she plunged into a deep valley, 
trembling with the fear that Rinaldo was in pursuit. 
At the bottom of this valley she encountered an aged 
hermit, whose white beard flowed to his middle, and 
whose venerable appearance seemed to assure his 
piety. 

This hermit, who appeared shrunk by age and fast- 
ing, travelled slowly, mounted upon a wretched ass. 
The princess, overcome with fear, conjured him to 
save her life; and to conduct her to some port of the 
sea, whence she might embark and quit France, never 
more to hear the odious name of Rinaldo. 

The old hermit was something of a wizard. He 
comforted Angelica, and promised to protect her from 
all peril. Then he opened his scrip, and took from 
thence a book, and had read but a single page when a 
goblin, obedient to his incantations, appeared, under 
the form of a laboring man, and demanded his orders. 
He received them, transported himself to the place 



THE INVASION OF FRANCE. 69 

where the knights still maintained their conflict, and 
boldly stepped between the two, 

** Tell me, I pray you," he said, ^^ what benefit 
will accrue to him who shall get the better in this con- 
test ? The object you are contending for is already 
disposed of; for the Paladin Orlando, without effort 
and without opposition, is now carrying away the 
princess Angelica to Paris. You had better pursue 
them prompdy, for if they reach Paris you will never 
see her again." 

At these words you might have seen those rival 
warriors confounded, stupefied, silently agreeing that 
they were affording their rival a fair opportunity to 
triumph over them. Rinaldo, approaching Bayard, 
breathes a sigh of shame and rage, and swears a 
terrible oath that, if he overtakes Orlando, he will 
tear his heart out. Then mounting Bayard and press- 
ing his flanks with his spurs, he leaves the king of 
Circassia on foot in the forest. 

Let it not appear strange that Rinaldo found Bay- 
ard obedient at last, after having so long prevented 
any one from even touching his bridle ; for that 
fine animal had an intelligence almost human ; he 
had fled from his master only to draw him on the 
track of Angelica, and enable him to recover her. 
He saw when the princess fled from the battle, and 
Rinaldo being then engaged in a fight on foot. Bayard 
found himself free to follow the traces of Angelica. 
Thus he had drawn his master after him, not per- 
mitting him to approach, and had brought him to the 
sight of the princess. But Bayard now, deceived like 
his master with the false intelligence o{ the goblin, 
submits to be mounted and to serve his master as 
usual, and Rinaldo, animated with rage, makes him 



70 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

fly toward Paris, more slowly than his wishes, though 
the speed of Bayard outstripped the winds. Full of 
impatience to encounter Orlando, he gave but a few 
hours that night to sleep. Early the next day he saw 
before him the great city, under the walls of which 
the Emperor Charles had collected the scattered re- 
mains of his army. Foreseeing that he would soon 
be attacked on all sides, the Emperor had caused the 
ancient fortifications to be repaired, and new ones to 
be built, surrounded by wide and deep ditches. The 
desire to hold the field against the enemy made him 
seize' every means of procuring new allies. He hoped 
to receive from England aid sufficient to enable him 
to form a new camp, and as soon as Rinaldo rejoined 
him he selected him to go as his ambassador into 
England, to plead for auxiliaries. Rinaldo was far 
from pleased with his commission, but he obeyed the 
Emperor's commands, without giving himself time to 
devote a single day to the object nearest his heart. 
He hastened to Calais, and lost not a moment in 
embarking for England, ardently desiring a hasty de- 
spatch of his commission, and a speedy return to 
France. 



BRADAMANTE AND ROGERO. 

Bradamante, the knight of the white plume and 
shield, whose sudden appearance and encounter with 
Sacripant we have already told, was in quest of Rogero, 
from whom chance had separated her, almost at the 
beginning of their acquaintance. After her encounter 
with Sacripant Bradamante pursued her way through 



BRADAMANTE AND ROGERO. 7 1 

the forest, in hopes of rejoining Rogero, and arrived at 
last on the brink of a fair fountain. 

This fountain flowed through a broad meadow. 
Ancient trees overshadowed it, and travellers, attracted 
by the sweet murmur of its waters, stopped there to 
cool themselves. Bradamante, casting her eyes on all 
sides to enjoy the beauties of the spot, perceived, under 
the shade of a tree, a knight reclining, who seemed to 
be oppressed with the deepest grief. 

Bradamante accosted him, and asked to be informed 
of the cause of his distress. ^^Alas ! my lord," said 
he, ^'I lament a young and charming friend, my affi- 
anced wife, who has been torn from me by a villain, 
— let me rather call him a demon, — who, on a 
winged horse, descended from the air, seized her, and 
bore her screaming to his den. I have pursued them 
over rocks and through ravines till mv horse is no longer 
able to bear me, and I now wait only for death." 
He added that already a vain attempt on his behalf 
had been made by two knights, whom chance had 
brought to the spot. Their names were Gradasso, 
king of Sericane, and Rogero, the Moor. Both had 
been overcome by the wiles of the enchanter, and 
were added to the number of the captives, whom he 
held in an impregnable castle, situated on the height of 
the mountain. At the mention of Rogero' s name 
Bradamante started with delight, which was soon 
changed to an opposite sentiment when she heard that 
her lover was a prisoner in the toils of the enchanter. 
"Sir Knight," she said, " do not surrender yourself 
to despair ; this day may be more happy for you than 
you think, if you will only lead m^ to the castle which 
enfolds her whom you deplore." 

The knight responded, ** After having lost all that 



72 Legends of Charlemagne. 

made life dear to me I have no motive to avoid the 
dangers of the enterprise, and 1 will do as you request ; 
but I forewarn you of the perils you will have to en- 
counter. If you fall impute it not to me." 

Having thus spoken, they took their way to the 
castle, but were overtaken by a messenger from the 
camp, who had been sent in quest of Bradamante to 
summon her back to the army, where her presence was 
needed to reassure her disheartened forces, and with- 
stand the advance of the Moors. 

The mournful knight, whose name was Pinabel, thus 
became aware that Bradamante was a scion of the house 
of Clermont, between which and his own of Mayence 
there existed an ancient feud. From this moment the 
traitor sought only how he might be rid of the com- 
pany of Bradamante, from whom he feared no good 
would come to him, but rather mortal injury, if his 
name and lineage became known to her. For he 
judged her by his own base model, and, knowing his 
ill deserts, he feared to receive his due. 

Bradamante, in spite of the summons to return to 
the army, could not resolve to leave her lover in cap- 
tivity, and determined first to finish the adventure on 
which she was engaged. Pinabel leading the way, 
they at length arrived at a wood, in the centre of which 
rose a steep, rocky mountain. Pinabel, who now 
thought of nothing else but how he might escape from 
Bradamante, proposed to ascend the mountain to ex- 
tend his view, in order to discover a shelter for the 
night, if any there might be within sight. Under this 
pretence he left Bradamante, and advanced up the side 
of the mountain till he came to a cleft in the rock, 
down which he looked, and perceived that it widened 
below into a spacious cavern. Meanwhile Brada- 



BRADAMANTE AND ROGERO. 73 

mante, fearful of losing her guide, had followed close 
on his footsteps, and rejoined him at the mouth of the 
cavern. Then the traitor, seeing the impossibility of 
escaping her, conceived another design. He told her 
that before her approach he had seen in the cavern a 
young and beautiful damsel, v^hose rich dress an- 
nounced her high birth, w^ho with tears and lamenta- 
tions implored assistance ; that before he could descend 
to relieve her a ruffian had seized her, and hurried her 
away into the recesses of the cavern. 

Bradamante, full of truth and courage, readily believed 
this lie of the Mayencian traitor. Eager to succor the 
damsel, she looked round for the means of facilitating 
the descent, and seeing a large elm with spreading 
branches she lopped off with her sword one of the 
largest, and thrust it into the opening. She told Pina- 
bel to hold fast to the larger end, while, grasping the 
branches with her hands, she let herself down into the 
cavern. 

The traitor smiled at seeing her thus suspended, and, 
asking her in mockery, '^ Are you a good leaper ? " he 
let go the branch with perfidious glee, and saw Brada- 
mante precipitated to the bottom of the cave. ^' I 
wish your whole race were there with you/' he mut- 
tered, ^'that you might alJ perish together." 

ButPinabel's atrocious design was not accomplished. 
The twigs and foliage of the branch broke its descent, 
and Bradamante, not seriously injured, though stunned 
with her fall, was reserved for other adventures. 

As soon as she recovered from the shock Brada- 
mante cast her eyes around and perceived a door, 
through which she passed into a second cavern, larger 
and loftier than the first. It had the appearance of a 
subterranean temple. Columns of the purest alabaster 



74 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

adorned it, and supported the roof; a simple altar rose 
in the middle ; a lamp, whose radiance was reflected 
by the alabaster walls, cast a mild light around. 

Bradamante, inspired by a sense of rehgious awe, 
approached the altar, and, falling on her knees, poured 
forth her prayers and thanks to the Preserver of her 
life, invoking the protection of his power. At that mo- 
ment a small door opened, and a female issued from it 
with naked feet, and flowing robe and hair, who called 
her by her name, and thus addressed her : ^' Brave 
and generous Bradamante, know that it is a power from 
above that has brought you hither. The spirit of Mer- 
lin^ whose last earthly abode was in this place, has 
warned me of your arrival, and of the fate that awaits 
you. This famous grotto," she continued, ^*was the 
work of the enchanter Merlin ; here his ashes repose. 
You have no doubt heard how this sage and virtuous 
enchanter ceased to be. Victim of the artful fairy of 
the lake. Merlin, by a fatal compliance with her re- 
quest, laid himself down living in his tomb, without 
power to resist the spell laid upon him by that ingrate, 
who retained him there as long as he lived. His spirit 
hovers about this spot, and will not leave it, until the 
last trumpet shall summ.on the dead to judgment. He 
answers the questions of those who approach his tomb, 
where perhaps you may be privileged to hear his 
voice." 

Bradamante, astonished at these words, and the ob- 
jects which met her view, knew not whether she was 
awake or asleep. Confused, but modest, she cast 
down her eyes, and a blush overspread her face. 
*^ Ah, what am I," said she, ** that so great a prophet 
should deign to speak to me ! " Still, with a secret 
satisfaction, she followed the priestess, who led her to 



BRAD AM ANTE AND ROGERO. -] ^ 

the tomb of Merlin. This tomb was constructed of 
a species of stone hard and resplendent like fire. The 
rays which beamed from the stone sufficed to light up 
that terrible place, where the sun's rays never pene- 
trated ; but I know not whether that light was the 
effect of a certain phosphorescence of the stone itself, 
or of the many talismans and charms with which it 
was wrought over. 

Bradamante had hardly passed the threshold o^ this 
sacred place when the spirit of the enchanter saluted 
her with a voice firm and distinct : — '^ May thy de- 
signs be prosperous, O chaste and noble maiden, the 
future mother of heroes, the glory of Italy, and des- 
tined to fill the whole world with their fame. Great 
captains, renowned knights, shall be numbered among 
your descendants, who shall defend the Church and 
restore their country to its ancient splendor. Princes, 
wise as Augustus and the sage Numa, shall bring back 
the age of gold.^ To accomplish these grand destinies 
it is ordained that you shall wed the illustrious Rogero. 
Fly then to his deliverance, and lay prostrate in the 
dust the traitor who has snatched him from you, and 
now holds him in chains ! " 

Merlin ceased with these words, and left to Melissa, 
the priestess, the charge of more fully instructing the 
maiden in her future course. ^^ To-morrow," said she, 
*' I will conduct you to the castle on the rock where 
Rogero is held captive. I will not leave you till I 
have guided you through this wild wood, and I will 
direct you on your way so that you shall be in no 
danger of mistaking it." 

^ This prophecy is introduced by Ariosto in this place to compli- 
ment the noble house of Este, the princes of his native state, the 
dukedom of Ferrara. 



^6 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

The next morning Melissa conducted Bradamante 
between rocks and precipices, crossing rapid torrents, 
and traversing intricate passes, employing the time in 
imparting to her such information as was necessary to 
enable her to bring her design to a successful issue. 

*^ Not only would the castle, impenetrable by force, 
and that winged horse of his baffle your efforts, but 
know that he possesses also a buckler whence flashes a 
light so brilliant that the eyes of all who look upon it 
are blinded. Think not to avoid it by shutting your 
eyes, for how then will you be able to avoid his blows, 
and make him feel your own ? But I will teach you 
the proper course to pursue. 

'^ Agramant, the Moorish prince, possesses a ring 
stolen from a queen of India, which has power to ren- 
der of no avail all enchantments. Agramant, knowing 
that Rogero is of more importance to him than any one 
of his warriors, is desirous of rescuing him from the 
power of the enchanter, and has sent for that purpose 
Brunello, the most crafty and sagacious of his servants, 
provided with his wonderful ring, and he is even now 
at hand, bent on this enterprise. But, beautiful Brada- 
mante, as I desire that no one but yourself shall have 
the glory of delivering from thraldom your future 
spouse, listen while I disclose the means of success. 
Follov/ing this path which leads by the seashore, you 
will come ere long to a hostelry, where the Saracen 
Brunello will arrive shortly after you. You will readily 
know him by his stature, under four feet, his great dis- 
proportioned head, his squint eyes, his livid hue, his 
thick eyebrows joining his tufted beard. His dress, 
moreover, that of a courier, will point him out to you. 

'* It will be easy for you to enter into conversation 
with him, announcing yourself as a knight seeking com- 



BRADAMANTE AND ROGERO. 77 

bat with the enchanter, but let not the knave suspect 
that you know anything about the ring. I doubt not 
that he will be your guide to the castle of the en- 
chanter. Accept his offer, but take care to keep be- 
hind him till you come in sight of the brilliant dome of 
the castle. Then hesitate not to strike him dead, for 
the wretch deserves no pity, and take from him the 
ring. But let him not suspect your intention, for by 
putting the ring into his mouth he will instantly become 
invisible, and disappear from your eyes." 

Saying thus, the sage Mehssa and the fair Brada- 
mante arrived near the city of Bordeaux, where the 
rich and wide river Garonne pours the tribute of its 
waves into the sea. They parted with tender em- 
braces. Bradamante, intent wholly on her purpose, 
hastened to arrive at the hostelry, where Brunello 
had preceded her a few moments only. The young 
heroine knew him without difficulty. She accosted 
him, and put to him some slight questions, to which 
he replied with adroit falsehoods. Bradamante, on 
her part, concealed from him her sex, her religion, 
her country, and the blood from whence she sprung. 
While they talk together, sudden cries are heard from 
all parts of the hostelry. '^ O queen of heaven ! " 
exclaimed Bradamante, ^* what can be the cause of 
this sudden alarm ?" She soon learned the cause. 
Host, children, domestics, all, with upturned eyes, as 
if they saw a comet or a great eclipse, were gazing on 
a prodigy which seemed to pass the bounds of possi- 
bility. She beheld distinctly a winged horse, mounted 
with a cavalier in rich armor, cleaving the air with rapid 
flight. The wings of this strange courser were wide 
extended, and covered with feathers of various colors. 
The polished armor of the knight made them shine 



78 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

with rainbow tints. In a short time the horse and 
rider disappeared behind the summits of the mountains. 

^' It is an enchanter," said the host, '' a magician 
who often is seen traversing the air in that way. 
Sometimes he flies aloft as if among the stars, and at 
others skims along the land. He possesses a won- 
derful castle on the. top of the Pyrenees. Many 
knights have shown their courage by going to attack 
him, but none have ever returned, from which it is 
to be feared they have lost either their life or their 
liberty." 

Bradamante, addressing the host, said, <^ Could you 
furnish me a guide to conduct me to the castle of this 
enchanter ? " *^ By my faith," said Brunello, inter- 
rupting, ^' that you shall not seek in vain ; I have it 
all in writing, and I will myself conduct you." 
Bradamante, with thanks, accepted him for her guide. 

The host had a tolerable horse to dispose of, which 
Bradamante bargained for, and the next day, at the 
first dawn of morning, she took her route by a narrow 
valley, taking care to have the Saracen Brunello lead 
the way. 

They reached the summit of the Pyrenees, whence 
one may look down on France, Spain, and the two 
seas. From this height they descended again by a 
fatiguing road into a deep valley. From the middle 
of this valley an isolated mountain rose, composed of 
rough and perpendicular rock, on whose summit was 
the casde, surrounded with a wall of brass. Brunello 
said, *' Yonder is the stronghold where the enchanter 
keeps his prisoners ; one must have wings to mount 
thither ; it is easy to see that the aid of a flying horse 
must be necessary for the master of this castle, which 
he uses for his prison and for his abode." 



BRADAMANTE AND ROGERO. 79 

Bradamante, sufficiently instructed, saw that the 
time had now come to possess herself of the ring ; but 
she could not resolve to slay a defenceless man. She 
seized Brunello before he was aware, bound him to a 
tree, and took from him the ring which he wore on 
one of his fingers. The cries and entreaties of the 
perfidious Saracen moved her not. She advanced to 
the foot of the rock whereon the castle stood, and, to 
draw the magician to the combat, sounded her horn, 
adding to it cries of defiance. 

The enchanter delayed not to present himself, 
mounted on his winged horse. Bradamante was 
struck with surprise mixed with joy when she saw 
that this person, described as so formidable, bore no 
lance nor club, nor any other deadly weapon. He had 
only on his arm a buckler, covered with a cloth, and 
in his hand an open book. As to the winged horse, 
there was no enchantment about him. He ♦was a 
natural animal, of a species which exists in the Ri- 
phsean mountains. Like a griffin, he had the head of 
an eagle, claws armed with talons, and wings covered 
with feathers, the rest of his body being that of a 
horse. This strange animal is called a Hippogriff. 

The heroine attacked the enchanter on his approach, 
striking on this side and on that, with all the energy 
of a violent combat, but wounding only the wind ; 
and after this pretended attack had lasted some time 
dismounted from her horse, as if hoping to do battle 
more effectually on foot. The enchanter now prepares 
to employ his sole weapon, by uncovering the magic 
buckler which never failed to subdue an enemy by 
depriving him of his senses. Bradamante, confiding 
in her ring, observed all the motions of her adversary, 
and, at the unveiling of the shield, cast herself on 



8o LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

the ground, pretending that the splendor of the shield 
had overcome her, but in reality to induce the en- 
chanter to dismount and approach her. 

It happened according to her wish. When the 
enchanter saw her prostrate he made his horse alight 
on the ground, and, dismounting, fixed the shield on 
the pommel of his saddle, and approached in order to 
secure the fallen warrior. Bradamante, who watched 
him intently, as soon as she saw him near at hand, 
sprang up, seized him vigorously, threw him down, 
and, with the same chain which the enchanter had 
prepared for herself, bound him fast, without his being 
able to make any eiFectual resistance. 

The enchanter, with the accents of despair, ex- 
claimed, ^^Take my life, youAg man ! " but Brada- 
mante was far from complying with such a wish. 
Desirous of knowing the name of the enchanter, and 
for what purpose he had formed wkh. so much art this 
impregnable fortress, she commanded him to inform 
her. 

^* Alas ! " replied the magician, while tears flowed 
down his cheeks, *Mt is not to conceal booty, nor for 
any culpable design that I have built this castle ; it 
was only to guard the life of a young knight, the object 
of my tenderest affection, my art having taught me 
that he is destined to become a Christian, and to perish, 
shortly after, bv the blackest of treasons. 

^^This youth, named Rogero, is the most beautiful 
and most accomplished of knights. It is I, the un- 
happy Atlantes, who have reared him from his child- 
hood. The call of honor and the desire of glory led 
him from me to follow Agramant, his prince, in his 
invasion of France, and I, more devoted to Rogero 
than the tenderest of parents, have sought the means of 



BRADAMANTE AND ROGERO. 8 1 

bringing him back to this abode, in the hope of saving 
him from the cruel fate that menaces him. 

^* For this purpose I have got him in my possession 
by tne same means as I attempted to employ against 
you ; and by which I have succeeded in collecting a 
great many knights and ladies in my castle. My pur- 
pose was to render my beloved pupil's captivity light, 
by affording him society to amuse him, and keep his 
thoughts from running on subjects of war and glory. 
Alas ! my cares have been in vain ! Yet, take, I be- 
seech you, whatever else I have, but spare me my 
beloved pupil. Take this shield, take this winged 
courser, deliver such of your friends as you may find 
among my prisoners, deliver them all if you will, but 
leave me my beloved Rogero ; or if you will snatch 
him too from me, take also my life, which will cease 
then to be to me worth preserving." 

Bradamante replied : ^^ Old man, hope not to move 
me by your vain entreaties. It is precisely the liberty 
of Rogero that I require. You would keep him here 
in bondage and in slothful pleasure, to save him from 
a fate which you foresee. Vain old man ! how can 
you foresee his fate when you could not foresee your 
own ? You desire me to take your life. No, my arm 
and my soul refuse the request." This said, she re- 
quired the magician to go before, and guide her to the 
castle. The prisoners were set at liberty, though some, 
in their secret hearts, regretted the voluptuous life which 
was thus brought to an end. Bradamante and Rogero 
met one another with transports of joy. 

They descended from the mountain to the spot 
where the encounter had taken place. There they 
found the Hippogriff, with the magic buckler in its 
wrapper, hanging to his saddle-bow. Bradamante ad- 



82 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

vanced to seize the bridle ; the HippogrifF seemed to 
wait her approach, but before she reached him he 
spread his wings and flew away to a neighboring hill, 
and in the same manner, a second time, eluded her 
efforts. Rogero and the other liberated knights dis- 
persed over the plain and hill-tops to secure him, and 
at last the animal allowed Rogero to seize his rein. 
The fearless Rogero hesitated not to vault upon his 
back, and let him feel his spurs, which so roused his 
mettle that, after galloping a short distance, he sud- 
denly spread his wings, and soared into the air. Brada- 
mante had the grief to see her lover snatched away 
fj-om her at the very moment of reunion. Rogero, 
who knew not the art of directing the horse, was un- 
able to control his flight. He found himself carried 
over the tops of the mountains, so far above them that 
he could hardly distinguish what was land and what 
water. The HippogrifF directed his flight to the west, 
and cleaved the air as swiftly as a new -rigged vessel 
cuts the waves, impelled by the freshest and most 
favorable gales. 



ASTOLPHO AND THE ENCHANTRESS. 

In the long flight which Rogero took on the back 
of the HippogrifF he was carried over land and sea, 
unknowing whither. As soon as he had gained some 
control over the animal he made him alight on the 
nearest land. When he came near enough to earth 
Rogero leapt lightly from his back, and tied the animal 
to a myrtle-tree. Near the spot flowed the pure 
waters of a fountain, surrounded by cedars and palm- 
trees. Rogero laid aside his shield, and, removing 



ASTOLPHO AND THE ENCHANTRESS. 83 

his helmet, breathed with delight the fresh air, and 
cooled his lips with the waters of the fountain. For 
we cannot wonder that he was excessively fatigued, 
considering the ride he had taken. He was preparing 
to taste the sweets of repose when he perceived that 
the HippogrifF, which he had tied by the bridle to a 
myrtle-tree, frightened at something, was making violent 
efforts to disengage himself. His struggle shook the 
myrtle-tree so that many of its beautiful leaves were 
torn off, and strewed the ground. 

A sound like that which issues from burning wood 
seemed to come from the myrtle-tree, at first faint 
and indistinct, but growing stronger by degrees, and 
at length was audible as a voice which spoke in this 
manner : ^^ O knight, if the tenderness of your heart 
corresponds to the beauty of your person, relieve me, 
I pray you, from this tormenting animal. I suffer 
enough inwardly without having outward evils added 
to my lot." 

Rogero, at the first accents of this voice, turned 
his eyes promptly on the myrtle, hastened to it, and 
stood fixed in astonishment when he perceived that the 
voice issued from the tree itself. He immediately 
untied his horse, and, flushed with surprise and re- 
gret, exclaimed, ^^ Whoever thou art, whether mortal 
or the goddess of these woods, forgive me, I beseech 
you, my involuntary fault. Had I imagined that this 
hard bark covered a being possessed of feeling, could I 
have exposed such a beautiful myrtle to the insults of 
this steed ? May the sweet influences of the sky and 
air speedily repair the injury I have done! For my 
part, I promise by the sovereign lady of my heart to 
do everything you wish in order to merit your for- 
giveness. " 



84 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

At these words the myrtle seemed to tremble from 
root to stem, and Rogero remarked that a moisture as 
of tears trickled down its bark, like that which exudes 
from a log placed on the fire. It then spoke: 

^' The kindness which inspires your words compels 
me to disclose to you who I once was, and by what 
fatality 1 have been changed into this shape. My 
name was Astolpho, cousin of Orlando and Rinaldo, 
whose fame has filled the earth. I was myself reck- 
oned among the bravest paladins of France, and was 
by birth entitled to reign over England, after Otho, 
my father. Returning from the distant East, with 
Rinaldo and many other brave knights, called home to 
aid with our arms the great Emperor of France, we 
reached a spot where the powerful enchantress Alcina 
possessed a castle on the borders of the sea. She had 
gone to the water-side to amuse herself with fishing, 
and we paused to see how, by her art, without hook 
or line, she drew from the water whatever she would. 

*^ Not far from the shore an enormous whale showed 
a back so broad and motionless that it looked like an 
island. Alcina had fixed her eyes on me, and planned 
to get me into her power. Addressing us, she said: 
* This is the hour when the prettiest mermaid in the 
sea comes regularly every day to the shore of yonder 
island. She sings so sweetly that the very waves 
flow smoother at the sound. If you wish to hear her 
come with me to her resort.' So saying, Alcina pointed 
to the fish, which we all supposed to be an island. I, 
who was rash, did not hesitate to follow her ; but 
swam my horse over, and mounted on the back of the 
fish. In vain Rinaldo and Dudon made signs to me 
to beware ; Alcina, smiling, took me in charge, and 
led the way. No sooner were we mounted upon him 



ASTOLPHO AND THE ENCHANTRESS. 85 

than the whale moved ofF, spreading his great fins, 
and cleft rapidly the waters. I then saw my folly, 
but it was too late to repent. Alcina soothed my 
anger, and professed that what she had done was for 
love of me. Ere long we arrived at this island, 
where at first everything was done to reconcile me to 
my lot, and to make my days pass happily away. 
But soon Alcina, sated with her conquest, grew indif- 
ferent, then weary of me, and at last, to get rid of me, 
changed me into this form, as she had done to many 
lovers before me, making some of them olives, some 
palms, some cedars, changing others into fountains, 
rocks, or even into wild beasts. And thou, courteous 
knight, whom accident has brought to this enchanted 
isle, beware that she get not the power over thee, or 
thou shalt haply be made like us, a tree, a fountain, 
or a rock." 

Rogero expressed his astonishment at this recital. 
Astolpho added that the island was in great part sub- 
ject to the sway of Alcina. By the aid of her sister 
Morgana, she had succeeded in dispossessing a third 
sister, Logestilla, of nearly the whole of her patri- 
mony, for the whole isle was hers originally by her 
father's bequest. But Logestilla was temperate and 
sage, while the other sisters were false and voluptuous. 
Her empire was divided from theirs by a gulf and 
chain of mountains, which alone had thus far pre- 
vented her sister from usurping it. 

Astolpho here ended his tale, and Rogero, who 
knew that he was the cousin of Bradamante, would 
gladly have devised some way for his relief; but, as 
that was out of his power, he consoled him as well as 
he could, and then begged to be told the way to the 
palace of Logestilla, and how to avoid that of Alcina. 



86 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

Astolpho directed him to take the road to the left, 
though rough and full of rocks. He warned him that 
this road would present serious obstacles ; that troops 
of monsters would oppose his passage, employed by the 
art of Alcina to prevent her subjects from escaping 
from her dominion. Rogero thanked the myrtle, and 
prepared to set out on his way. 

He at first thought he would mount the winged 
horse, and scale the mountain on his back ; but he 
was too uncertain of his power to control him to wish 
to encounter the hazard of another flight through the 
air, besides that he was almost famished for the want 
of food. So he led the horse after him, and took the 
road on foot, which for some distance led equally to 
the dominions of both the sisters. 

He had not advanced more than two miles when he 
saw before him the superb city of Alcina. It was sur- 
rounded with a wall of gold, which seemed to reach 
the skies. I know that some think that this wall was 
not of real gold, but only the work of alchemy ; it 
matters not ; I prefer to think it gold, for it certainly 
shone like gold. 

A broad and level road led to the gates of the city, 
and from this another branched off, narrow and rough, 
which led to the mountain region. Rogero took with- 
out hesitation the narrow road ; but he had no sooner 
entered upon it than he was assailed by a numerous 
troop which opposed his passage. 

You never have seen anything so ridiculous, so ex- 
traordinary, as this host of hobgoHins were. Some 
of them bore the human form from the neck to the feet, 
but had the head of a monkey or a cat ; others had the 
legs and the ears of a horse ; old men and women, 
bald and hideous, ran hither and thither as if out of 



ASTOLPHO AND THE ENCHANTRESS. 87 

their senses, half clad in the shaggy skins of beasts ; one 
rode full speed on a horse without a bridle, another 
jogged along mounted on an ass or a cow ; others, full 
of agility, skipped about, and clung to the tails and 
manes of the animals which their companions rode. 
Some blew horns, others brandished drinking-cups ; 
some were armed with spits, and some with pitchforks. 
One, who appeared to be the captain, had an enor- 
mous belly and a gross fat head ; he was mounted on a 
tortoise, that waddled, now this way, now that, with- 
out keeping any one direction. 

One of these monsters, who had something approach- 
ing the human form, though he had the neck, ears, 
and muzzle of a dog, set himself to bark furiously at 
Rogero, to make him turn off to the right, and reenter 
upon the road to the gay city ; but the brave chevalier 
exclaimed, ^' That will I not, so long as I can use this 
sword," — and he thrust the point directly at his face. 
The monster tried to strike him with a lance, but 
Rogero was too quick for him, and thrust his sword 
through his body, so that it appeared a hand's breadth 
behind his back. The paladin, now giving full vent to 
his rage, laid about him vigorously among the rabble, 
cleaving one to the teeth, another to the girdle ; but 
the troop were so numerous, and in spite of his blows 
pressed around him so close, that, to clear his way, he 
must have had as many arms as Briareus. 

If Rogero had uncovered the shield of the enchanter, 
which hung at his saddle-bow, he might easily have 
vanquished this monstrous rout ; but perhaps he did 
not think of it, and perhaps he preferred to seek his 
defence nowhere but in his good sword. At that 
moment, when his perplexity was at its height, he saw 
issue from the city gate two young beauties, whose air 



88 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

and dress proclaimed their rank and gentle nurture. 
Each of them was mounted on a unicorn, whose white- 
ness surpassed that of ermine. They advanced to the 
meadow where Rogero was contending so valiantly 
against the hobgobhns, who all retired at their ap- 
proach. They drew near, they extended their hands 
to the young warrior, whose cheeks glowed with the 
flush of exercise and modesty. Grateful for their 
assistance, he expressed his thanks, and, having no 
heart to refuse them, followed their guidance to the 
gate of the city. 

This grand and beautiful entrance was adorned by 
a portico of four vast columns, all of diamond. 
Whether they were real diamond or artificial I cannot 
say. What matter is it, so long as they appeared to 
the eye like diamond, and nothing could be more gay 
and splendid. 

On the threshold, and between the columns, was 
seen a bevy of charming young women, who played 
and frolicked together. They all ran to receive 
Rogero, and conducted him into the palace, which 
appeared like a paradise. 

We might well call by that name this abode, where 
the hours flew by, without account, in ever-new de- 
lights. The bare idea of satiety, want, and, above 
all, of age, never entered the minds of the inhabitants. 
They experienced no sensations except those of luxury 
and gayety ; the cup of happiness seemed for them 
ever-flowing and exhaustless. The two young damsels 
to whom Rogero owed his deliverance from the hob- 
gobhns conducted him to the apartment of their 
mistress. The beautiful Alcina advanced, and greeted 
him with an air at once dignified and courteous. All 
her court surrounded the paladin, and rendered him 



ASTOLPHO AND THE ENCHANTRESS. 89 

the most flattering attentions. The castle was less 
admirable for its magnificence than for the charms of 
those who inhabited it. They were of either sex, 
well matched in beauty, youth, and grace ; but among 
this charming group the brilliant Alcina shone, as the 
sun outshines the stars. The young warrior was 
fascinated. All that he had heard from the myrtle- 
tree appeared to him but a vile calumny. How could 
he suspect that falsehood and treason veiled themselves 
under smiles and the ingenuous air of truth ? He 
doubted not that Astolpho had deserved his fate, and 
perhaps a punishment more severe ; he regarded all his 
stories as dictated by a disappointed spirit, and a thirst 
for revenge. But we must not condemn Rogero too 
harshly, for he was the victim of magic power. 

They seated themselves at table, and immediately 
harmonious lyres and harps waked the air with the 
most ravishing notes. The charms of poetry were 
added in entertaining recitals ; the magnificence of the 
feast would have done credit to a royal board. The 
traitress forgot nothing which might charm the paladin, 
and attach him to the spot, meaning, when she should 
grow tired of him, to metamorphose him as she had 
done others. In the same manner passed each suc- 
ceeding day. Games of pleasant exercise, the chase, 
the dance, or rural sports, made the hours pass quickly ; 
while they gave zest to the refreshment of the bath, or 
sleep. 

Thus Rogero led a life of ease and luxury, while 
Charlemagne and Agramant were struggling for empire. 
But I cannot linger with him while the amiable and 
courageous Bradamante is night and day directing her 
uncertain steps to every spot where the slightest chance 
invites her, in the hope of recovering Rogero, 



90 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

I will therefore say that, having sought him in vain 
in fields and in cities, she knew not whither next to 
direct her steps. She did not apprehend the death of 
Rogero. The .fall of such a hero would have re- 
echoed from the Hydaspes to the farthest river of the 
West ; but, not knowing w^hether he was on the earth 
or in the air, she concluded, as a last resource, to re- 
turn to the cavern which contained the tomb of Merlin, 
to ask of him some sure direction to the object of her 
search. 

While this thought occupied her mind, Melissa, the 
sage enchantress, suddenly appeared before her. This 
virtuous and beneficent magician had discovered by 
her spells that Rogero was passing his time in pleasure 
and idleness, forgetful of his honor and his sovereign. 
Not able to endure the thought that one who was born 
to be a hero should waste his years in base repose, and 
leave a sullied reputation in the memory of survivors, 
she saw that vigorous measures must be employed to 
draw him forth into the paths of virtue. Melissa was 
not blinded by her affection for the amiable paladin, 
Hke Atlantes, who, intent only on preserving Rogero 's 
life, cared nothing for his fame. It was that old en- 
chanter whose arts had guided the Hippogriff to the 
isle of the too charming Alcina, where he hoped his 
favorite would learn to forget honor, and lose the love 
of glory. 

At the sight of Melissa joy Hghted up the coun- 
tenance of Bradamante, and hope animated her breast. 
Melissa concealed nothing from her, but told her how 
Rogero was in the toils of Alcina. Bradamante was 
plunged in grief and terror ; but the kind enchantress 
calmed her, dispelled her fears, and promised that before 
many days she would lead back the paladin to her feet. 



ASTOLPHO AND THE ENCHANTRESS. 9 1 

*^ My daughter," she said, ^^ give me the ring which 
you wear, and which possesses the power to overcome 
enchantments. By means of it I doubt not but that 
I may enter the stronghold where the false Alcina 
holds Rogero in durance, and may succeed in van- 
quishing her and hberating him." Bradamante un- 
hesitatingly delivered her the ring, recommending 
Rogero to her best efforts. Melissa then summoned 
by her art a huge palfrey, black as jet, excepting one 
foot, which was bay. Mounted upon this animal, she 
rode with such speed that by the next morning she 
had reached the abode of Alcina. 

She here transformed herself into the perfect re- 
semblance of the old magician Atlantes, adding a 
palm-breadth to her height, and enlarging her whole 
figure. Her chin she covered with a long beard, and 
seamed her whole visage well with wrinkles. She 
assumed also his voice and manner, and watched her 
chance to find Rogero alone. At last she found him, 
dressed in a rich tunic of silk and gold, a collar of 
precious stones about his neck, and his arms, once so 
rough with exercise, decorated with bracelets. His 
air and his every motion indicated efEeminacy, and he 
seemed to retain nothing of Rogero but the name ; 
such power had the enchantress obtained over him. 

Melissa, under the form of his old instructor, pre- 
sented herself before him, wearing a stern and serious 
visage. ^^ Is this, then," she said, ^^ the fruit of all 
my labors ? Is it for this that I fed you on the mar- 
row of bears and lions, that I taught you to subdue 
dragons, and, hke Hercules, strangle serpents in your 
youthful grasp, only to make you, by all my cares, a 
feeble Adonis ? My nightly watchings of the stars, 
of the yet warm fibres of animals, the lots I have 



92 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

cast, the points of nativity that I have calculated, 
have they all falsely indicated that you were born for 
greatness ? Who could have believed that you would 
become the slave of a base enchantress ?^ O Rogero, 
learn to know this Alcina, learn to understand her 
arts and to countervail them. Take this ring, place 
it on your finger, return to her presence, and see for 
yourself what are her real charms." 

At these words, Rogero, confused, abashed, cast 
his eyes upon the ground, and knew not what to 
answer. Melissa seized the moment, slipped the ring 
on his finger, and the paladin was himself again. 
What a thunder-clap to him ! Overcome by shame, 
he dared not to encounter the looks of his instructor. 
When at last he raised his eyes he beheld not that 
venerable form, but the priestess Melissa, who in 
virtue of the ring now appeared in her true person. 
She told him of the motives which had led her to come 
to his rescue, of the griefs and regrets of Bradamante, 
and of her unwearied search for him. ^' That charm- 
ing Amazon," she said, ^^ sends you this ring, which 
is a sovereign antidote to all enchantments. She 
would have sent you her heart in my hands, if it 
would have had greater povv^er to serve you." 

It was needless for Melissa to say more. Rogero's 
love for Alcina, being but the work of enchantment, 
vanished as soon as the enchantment was withdrawn, 
and he now hated her with an equal intensity, seeing 
no longer anything in her but her vices, and feeling 
only resentment for the shame that she had put upon 
him. 

His surprise when he again beheld Alcina was no 
less than his indignation. Fortified by his ring from 
her enchantments, he saw her as she was, a monster 



ASTOLPHO AND THE ENCHANTRESS. 93 

of ugliness. All her charms were artificial, and, truly 
viewed, were rather deformities. She was, in fact, 
older than Hecuba or the Sibyl of Cum^ ; but an art, 
which it is to be regretted our times have lost, enabled 
her to appear charming, and to clothe herself in all the 
attractions of youth. Rogero now saw all this, but, 
governed by the counsels of Melissa, he concealed his 
surprise, assumed under some pretext his armor, long 
neglected, and bound to his side Belisarda, his trusty 
sword, taking also the buckler of Atlantes, covered with 
its veil. 

He then selected a horse from the stables of Alcina, 
without exciting her suspicions ; but he left the Hippo- 
grifF, by the advice of Melissa, who promised to take 
him in charge, and train him to a more manageable 
state. The horse he took was Rabican, which be- 
longed to Astolpho. He restored the ring to Melissa. 

Rogero had not ridden far when he met one of the 
huntsmen of Alcina, bearing a falcon on his wrist, and 
followed by a dog. The huntsman was mounted on a 
powerfiil horse, and came boldly up to the paladin, 
demanding, in a somewhat imperious manner, whither 
he was going so rapidly. Rogero disdained to stop or 
to reply ; whereupon the huntsman, not doubting that 
he was about making his escape, said, ^' What if I, 
with my falcon, stop your ride ? " So saying, he 
threw off the bird, which even Rabican could not 
equal in speed. The huntsman then leapt from his 
horse, and the animal, open-mouthed, darted after 
Rogero with the swiftness of an arrow. The hunts- 
man also ran as if the wind or fire bore him, and the 
dog was equal to Rabican in swiftness. Rogero, find- 
ing flight impossible, stopped and faced his pursuers ; 
but his sword was useless against such foes. The 



94 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

insolent huntsman assailed him with words, and struck 
him with his whip, the only weapon he had ; the dog 
bit his feet, and the horse drove at him with his hoofs. 
At the same time the falcon flew over his head and 
over Rabican's and attacked them with claws and 
wings, so that the horse in his fright began to be un- 
manageable. At that moment the sound of trumpets 
and cymbals was heard in the valley, and it was evi- 
dent that Alcina had ordered out all her array to go in 
pursuit. Rogero felt that there was no time to be lost, 
and luckily remembered the shield of Atlantes, which 
he bore suspended from his neck. He unveiled it, and 
the charm worked wonderfully. The huntsman, the 
dog, the horse, fell flat ; the trembling wings of the 
falcon could no longer sustain her, and she fell senseless 
to the ground. Rogero, rid of their annoyances, left 
them in their trance, and rode away. 

Meanwhile Alcina, with all the force she could 
muster, sallied forth from her palace in pursuit. Me- 
lissa, left behind, took advantage of the opportunity to 
.ransack all the rooms, protected by the ring. She 
undid one by one all the talismans and spells which she 
found, broke the seals, burned the images, and untied 
the hag-knots. Thence, hurrying through the fields, 
she disenchanted the victims changed into trees, foun- 
tains, stones, or brutes ; all of whom recovered their 
liberty, and vowed eternal gratitude to their deHverer. 
They made their escape, with all possible despatch, to 
the realms of the good Logestilla, whence they 
departed to their several homes. 

Astolpho was the first whom Melissa Hberated, for 
Rogero had particularly recommended him to her care. 
She aided him to recover his arms, and particularly 
that precious golden-headed lance which once was 



THE ORG. 95 

Argalia's. The enchantress mounted with him upon 
the winged horse, and in a short time arrived through 
the air at the castle of Logestilla, where Rogero joined 
them soon after. 

In this abode the friends passed a short period of 
delightful and improving intercourse with the sage 
Logestilla and her virtuous court ; and then each 
departed, Rogero with the HippogriiF, ring, and buck- 
ler ; Astolpho with his golden lance, and mounted on 
Rabican, the fleetest of steeds. To Rogero Logestilla 
gave a bit and bridle suited to govern the HippogriiF ; 
and to Astolpho a horn of marvellous powers, to be 
sounded only when all other weapons were unavailing. 



THE ORC. 

We left the charming Angelica at the moment 
when, in her flight from her contending lovers, Sacri- 
pant and Rinaldo, she met an aged hermit. We have 
seen that her request to the hermit was to furnish her 
the means of gaining the sea-coast, eager to avoid 
Rinaldo, \vhom she hated, by leaving France and 
Europe itself. The pretended hermit, who was no 
other than a vile magician, knowing well that it would 
not be agreeable to his false gods to aid Angelica in 
this undertaking, feigned to comply with her desire. 
He suppHed her a horse, into which he had by his 
arts caused a subtle devil to enter, and, having mounted 
Angelica on the animal, directed her what course to 
take to reach the sea. 

Angelica rode on her way without suspicion, but 
when arrived at the shore, the demon urged the ani- 



gG LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

mal headlong into the water. Angelica in vain at- 
tempted to turn him back to the land ; he continued 
his course till, as night approached, he landed with 
his burden on a sandy headland. 

Angelica, finding herself alone, abandoned in this 
frightful sohtude, remained without movement, as if 
stupefied, with hands joined and eyes turned towards 
heaven, till at last, pouring forth a torrent of tears, 
she exclaimed : ^' Cruel fortune, have you not yet ex- 
hausted your rage against me ? To what new miseries 
do you. doom me ? Alas ! then finish your work ! 
Deliver me a prey to some ferocious beast, or by 
whatever fate you choose bring me to an end. I will 
be thankful to you for terminating my life and my 
misery." At last, exhausted by her sorrows, she fell 
asleep, and sunk prostrate on the sand. 

Before recounting what next befell, we must declare 
what place »it was upon which the unhappy lady was 
now thrown. In the sea that washes the coast of 
Ireland there is an island called Ebuda, whose inhab- 
itants, once numerous, had been wasted by the anger 
of Proteus till there were now but few left. This 
deity was incensed by some neglect of the usual honors 
which he had in old times received from the inhabitants 
of the land, and, to execute his vengeance, had sent a 
horrid sea-monster, called an Ore, to devour them. 
Such were the terrors of his ravages that the whole 
people o^ the isle had shut themselves up in the prin- 
cipal town, and relied on their walls alone to protect 
them. In this distress they applied to the Oracle for 
advice, and were directed to appease the wrath of the 
sea-monster by offering to him the fairest virgin that 
the country could produce. 

Now it so happened that the very day when this 



THE ORG. 97 

dreadful oracle was announced, and when the fatal 
mandate had gone forth to seek among the fairest 
maidens of the land one to be oiFered to the monster, 
some sailors, landing on the beach where Angelica was, 
beheld that beauty as she lay asleep. 

O Wind Chance ! whose power in human affairs is 
but too great, canst thou then abandon to the teeth of 
a horrible monster those charms which different sover- 
eigns took arms against one another to possess ? Alas ! 
the lovely Angelica is destined to be the victim of 
those cruel islanders. 

Still asleep, she was bound by the Ebudians, and it 
was not until she was carried on board the vessel that 
she came to a knowledge of her situation. The wind 
filled the sails and wafted the ship swifdy to the port, 
where all that beheld her agreed that she was un- 
questionably the victim selected by Proteus himself to 
be his prey. Who can tell the screams, the mortal 
anguish of this unhappy maiden, the reproaches she 
addressed even to the heavens themselves, when the 
dreadful information of her cruel fate was made known 
to her ? I cannot ; let me rather turn to a happier part 
of my story. 

Rogero left the palace of Logestilla, careering on his 
flying courser far above the tops of the mountains, and 
borne westward by the HippogrifF, which he guided 
with ease, by means of the bridle that Melissa had 
given him. Anxious as he was to recover Bradamante, 
he could not fail to be delighted at the view his rapid 
flight presented of so many vast regions and populous 
countries as he passed over in his career. At last he 
approached the shores of England, and perceived an 
immense army in all the splendor of military pomp, as 
if about to go forth flushed with hopes of victory. He 



98 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

caused the Hippogriff to alight not far from the scene, 
and found himself immediately surrounded by admiring 
spectators, knights and soldiers, who could not enough 
indulge their curiosity and wonder. Rogero learned, 
in reply to his questions, that the fine array of troops 
before him was the army destined to go to the aid of 
'the French Emperor, in comphance with the request 
presented by the illustrious Rinaldo, as ambassador of 
King Charles, his uncle. 

By this time the curiosity of the English chevaliers 
was partly gratified in beholding the Hippogriff at 
rest, and Rogero, to renew their surprise and delight, 
remounted the animal, and, clapping spurs to his sides, 
made him launch into the air with the rapidity of a 
meteor, and directed his flight still westwardly, till he 
came within sight of the coasts of Ireland. Here he 
descried what seemed to be a fair damsel, alone, fast 
chained to a rock which projected into the sea. What 
was his astonishment when, drawing nigh, he beheld 
the beautiful princess AngeHca ! That day she had 
been led forth and bound to the rock, there to wait till 
the sea-monster should come to devour her. Rogero 
exclaimed as he came near, '^ What cruel hands, what 
barbarous soul, what fatal chance can have loaded thee 
with those chains .? ' ' Angelica replied by a torrent 
of tears, at first her only response ; then, in a tremb- 
ling voice, she disclosed to him the horrible destiny 
for which she was there exposed. While she spoke, 
a terrible roaring was heard far off on the sea. The 
huge monster soon came in sight, part of his body ap- 
pearing above the waves and part concealed. Angel- 
ica, half dead with fear, abandoned herself to despair. 

Rogero, lance in rest, spurred his Hippogriff toward 
the Ore, and gave him a thrust. The horrible mon- 



THE ORG. 99 

ster was like nothing that nature produces. It was 
but one mass of tossing and twisting body, with noth- 
ing of the animal but head, eyes, and mouth, the last 
firnished with tusks like those of the wild boar. 
Rogero's lance had struck him between the eyes ; but 
rock and iron are not more impenetrable than were 
his scales. The knight, seeing the fi*uitlessness of the 
first blow, prepared to give a second. The animal, 
beholding upon the water the shadow of the great 
wings of the Hippogriff, abandoned his prey, and 
turned to seize what seemed nearer. Rogero took the 
opportunity, and dealt him furious blows on various 
parts of his body, taking care to keep clear of his mur- 
derous teeth ; but the scales resisted every attack. 
The Ore beat the water with his tail till he raised a 
foam which enveloped Rogero and his steed, so that 
the knight hardly knew whether he was in the water 
or the air. He began to fear that the wings of the 
Hippogriff would be so drenched with water that they 
would cease to sustain him. At that moment Rogero 
bethought him of the magic shield which hung at his 
saddle-bow ; but the fear that Angelica would also be 
blinded by its glare discouraged him from employing 
it. Then he remembered the ring which Melissa had 
given him, the power of which he had so lately 
proved. He hastened to Angehca and placed it on 
her finger. Then, uncovering the buckler, he turned 
its bright disk full in the face of the detestable Ore. 
The effect was instantaneous. The monster, deprived 
of sense and motion, rolled over on the sea, and lay 
floating on his back. Rogero would fain have tried 
the effect of his lance on the now exposed parts, but 
Angelica implored him to lose no time in delivering 
her from her chains before the monster should revive. 

LofC. 



loo LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

Rogero, moved with her entreaties, hastened to do so, 
and, having unbound her, made her mount behind him 
on the HippogrifFe The animal, spurning the earth, 
shot up into the air, and rapidly sped his v^ay through 
it. Rogero, to give time to the princess to rest after 
her cruel agitations, soon sought the earth again, ahght- 
ing on the shore of Brittany. Near the shore a thick 
w^ood presented itself, v^hich resounded with the songs 
of birds. In the midst, a fountain of transparent water 
bathed the turf of a litde meadow. A gende hill 
rose near by. Rogero, making the Hippogriif alight 
in the meadow, dismounted, and took Angelica from 
the horse. 

When the first tumults of 'emotion had subsided 
Angelica, casting her eyes downward, beheld the 
precious ring upon her finger, whose virtues she was 
well acquainted with, for it was the very ring which 
the Saracen Brunello had robbed her of. She drew 
it from her finger and placed it in her mouth, and, 
quicker than we can tell it, disappeared from the sight 
of the paladin. 

Rogero looked around him on all sides, like one 
frantic, but soon remembered the ring which he had 
so lately placed on her finger. Struck with the in- 
gratitude which could thus recompense his services, 
he exclaimed : ^' Thankless beauty, is this then the 
reward you make me ? Do you prefer to rob me of 
my ring rather than receive it as a gift ? Willingly 
would I have given it to you, had you but asked it." 
Thus he said, searching on all sides with arms ex- 
tended like a blind man, hoping to recover by the 
touch what was lost to sight ; but he sought in vain. 
The cruel beauty was already far away. 

Though sensible of her obligations to her deliverer. 



THE ORG. lOI 

her first necessity was for clothing, food, and repose. 
She soon reached a shepherd's hut, where, entering 
unseen, she found what sufficed for her present relief. 
An old herdsman inhabited the hut, whose charges 
consisted of a drove of mares. When recruited by- 
repose Angelica selected one of the mares from the 
flock, and, mounting the animal, felt the desire revive 
in her mind of returning to her home in the East, and 
for that purpose would gladly have accepted the pro- 
tection of Orlando or of Sacripant across those wide 
regions which divided her from her own country. In 
hopes of meeting with one or the other of them she 
pursued her way. 

Meanwhile Rogero, despairing of seeing Angelica 
again, returned to the tree where he had left his 
winged horse, but had the mortification to find that 
the animal had broken his bridle and escaped. This 
loss, added to his previous disappointment, over- 
whelmed him with vexation. Sadly he gathered up 
his arms, threw his buckler over his shoulders, and, 
taking the first path that oiFered, soon found himself 
within the verge of a dense and wide-spread forest. 

He had proceeded for some distance when he heard 
a noise on his right, and, listening attentively, dis- 
tinguished the clash of arms. He made his way 
toward the place whence the sound proceeded, and 
found two warriors engaged in mortal combat. One 
of them was a knight of a noble and manly bearing, 
the other a fierce giant. The knight appeared to 
exert consummate address in defending himself against 
the massive club of the giant, evading his strokes, or 
parrying them with sword or shield. Rogero stood 
spectator of the combat, for he did not allow himself' 
to interfere in it, though a secret sentiment inclined 



I02 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

him strongly to take part with the knight. At length 
he saw with grief the massive club fall directly on the 
head of the knight, who yielded to the blow, and fell 
prostrate. The giant sprang forward to despatch him, 
and for that purpose unlaced his helmet, when Rogero, 
with dismay, recognized the face of Bradamante. He 
cried aloud, '^ Hold, miscreant ! " and sprang forward 
with drawn sword. Whereupon the giant, as if he 
cared not to enter upon another combat, hfted Brada- 
mante on his shoulders, and ran with her into the 
forest. 

Rogero plunged after him, but the long legs of the 
giant carried him forward so fast that the paladin could 
hardly keep him in sight. At length they issued from 
the wood, and Rogero perceived before him a rich 
palace, built of marble, and adorned with sculptures 
executed by a master hand. Into this edifice, through 
a golden door, the giant passed, and Rogero followed ; 
but, on looking round, saw nowhere either the giant 
or Bradamante. He ran from room to room, calling 
aloud on his cowardly foe to turn and meet him ; but 
got no response, nor caught another glimpse of the 
giant or his prey. In his vain pursuit he met, with- 
out knowing them, Ferrau, Florismart, King Gradasso, 
Orlando, and many others, all of whom had been en- 
trapped like himself into this enchanted castle. It was 
a new stratagem of the magician Atlantes to draw 
Rogero into his power, and to secure also those who 
might by any chance endanger his safety. What 
Rogero had taken for Bradamante was a mere phan- 
tom. That charming lady was far away, full of 
anxiety for her Rogero, whose coming she had long 
expected. 

The Emperor had committed to her charge the city 



THE ORG. 103 

and garrison of Marseilles, and she held the post 
against the infidels with valor and discretion. One 
day Melissa suddenly presented herself before her. 
Anticipating her questions, she said, *^ Fear not for 
Rogero ; he lives, and is as ever true to you ; but he 
has lost his liberty. The fell enchanter has again suc- 
ceeded in making him a prisoner. If you would de- 
liver him, mount your horse and follow me." She 
told her in what manner Atlantes had deceived Rogero, 
in deluding his eves with the phantom of herself in 
peril. ^^Such," she continued, ^^ will be his arts in 
your own case, if you penetrate the forest and ap- 
proach that castle. You will think you behold Rogero, 
when, in fact, you see only the enchanter himself. 
Be not deceived, plunge your sword into his body, 
and trust me when I tell you that, in slaying him, 
you will restore not only Rogero, but with him many 
of the bravest knights of France, whom the wizard's 
arts have withdrawn from the camp of their sov- 
ereign." 

Bradamante promptly armed herself, and mounted 
her horse. Mehssa led her by forced journeys, by 
field and forest, beguiling the way with conversation 
on the theme which interested her hearer most. When 
at last they reached the forest, she repeated once more 
her instructions, and then took her leave, for fear the 
enchanter might espy her, and be put on his guard. 

Bradamante rode on about two miles when suddenly 
she beheld Rogero, as it appeared to her, hard pressed 
by two fierce giants. While she hesitated she heard 
his voice calling on her for help. At once the cau- 
tions of Melissa lost their weight. A sudden doubt of 
the faith and truth of her kind monitress flashed across 
her mind. ''Shall I not beheve my own eyes and 



I04 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

ears ? ' ' she said, and rushed forward to his defence. 
Rogero fled, pursued by the giants, and Bradamante 
followed, passing with them through the castle gate. 
When there, Bradamante was undeceived, for neither 
giant nor knight was to be seen. She found herself a 
prisoner, but had not the consolation of knowing that 
she shared the imprisonment of her beloved. She saw 
various forms of men and women, but could recognize 
none of them ; and their lot was the same with respect 
to her. Each viewed the others under some illusion 
of the fancy, wearing the semblance of giants, dwarfs, 
or even four-footed animals, so that there was no com- 
panionship or communication between them. 



ASTOLPHO'S ADVENTURES CONTINUED, 
AND ISABELLA'S BEGUN. 

When Astolpho escaped from the cruel Alcina, 
after a short abode in the realm of the virtuous Loge- 
stilla, he desired to return to his native country. 
Logestilla lent him the best vessel of her fleet to con- 
vey him to the mainland. She gave him at parting a 
wonderful book, which taught the secret of overcom- 
ing all manners of enchantments, and begged him 
to carry it always with him, out of regard for her. 
She also gave him another gift, which surpassed every- 
thing of the kind that mortal workmanship can frame ; 
yet it was nothing in appearance but a simple horn. 

Astolpho, protected by these gifts, thanked the good 
fairy, took leave of her, and set out on his return to 
France. His voyage was prosperous, and on reaching 
the desired port he took leave of the faithful mariners, 



ASTOLPHO'S ADVENTURES. 105 

and continued his journey by land. As he proceeded 
over mountains and through valleys he often met with 
bands of robbers, wild beasts, and venomous serpents, 
but he had only to sound his horn to put them all to 
flight. 

Having landed in France, and traversed many 
provinces on his way to the army, he one day, in 
crossing a forest, arrived beside a fountain, and alighted 
to drink. While he stooped at the fountain a young 
rustic sprang from the copse, mounted Rabican, and 
rode away. It was a new trick of the enchanter 
Atlantes. Astolpho, hearing the noise, turned his 
head just in time to see his loss ; and, starting up, 
pursued the thief, who, on his part, did not press the 
horse to his full speed, but just kept in sight of his 
pursuer till they both issued from the forest ; and then 
Rabican and his rider took shelter in a castle which 
stood near. Astolpho followed, and penetrated with- 
out difficulty within the court-yard of the castle, where 
he looked around for the rider and his horse, but 
could see no trace of either, nor any person of whom 
he could make inquiry. Suspecting that enchantment 
was employed to embarrass him, he bethought him of 
his book, and on consulting it discovered that his sus- 
picions were well founded. He also learned what 
course to pursue. He w^as directed to raise the stone 
which served as a threshold, under which a spirit lay 
pent, who would willingly escape, and leave the castle 
free of access. Astolpho applied his strength to lift 
aside the stone. Thereupon the magician put his arts 
in force. The castle was full of prisoners, and the 
magician caused that to all of them Astolpho should 
appear in some false guise — to some a wild beast, to 
others a giant, to others a bird of prey. Thus all as- 



Io6 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

sailed him, and would quickly have made an end of 
him, if he had not bethought him of his horn. No 
sooner had he blown a blast than, at the horrid larum, 
fled the cavaliers and the necromancer with them, like 
a flock of pigeons at the sound of the fowler's gun. 
Astolpho then renewed his efforts on the stone, and 
turned it over. The under face was all inscribed with 
magical characters, which the knight defaced, as 
directed by his book ; and no sooner had he done so, 
than the castle, with its walls and turrets, vanished into 
smoke. 

The knights and ladies set at liberty were, besides 
Rogero and Bradamante, Orlando, Gradasso, Floris- 
mart, and many more. At the sound of the horn 
they fled, one and all, men and steeds, except Rabi- 
can, which Astolpho secured, in spite of his terror. 
As soon as the sound had ceased Rogero recognized 
Bradamante, whom he had daily met during their 
imprisonment, but had been prevented from know- 
ing by the enchanter's arts. No words can tell the 
delight with which they recognized each other, and 
recounted mutually all that had happened to each 
since they were parted. Rogero took advantage of the 
opportunity to press his suit, and found Bradamante 
as propitious as he could wish, were it not for a single 
obstacle, the difference of their faiths. ^' If he would 
obtain her in marriage," she said, '' he must in due 
form demand her of her father, Duke Aymon, and must 
abandon his false prophet, and become a Christian." 
The latter step was one which Rogero had for some 
time intended taking, for reasons of his own. He 
therefore gladly accepted the terms, and proposed that 
they should at once repair to the abbey of Vallom- 
brosa, whose towers were visible at no great distance. 



ASTOLPHO'S ADVENTURES. 107 

Thither they turned their horses' heads, and we will 
leave them to find their way without our company. 

I know not if my readers recollect that at the 
moment when Rogero had just dehvered Angelica 
from the voracious Ore that scornful beauty placed 
her ring in her mouth, and vanished out of sight. At 
the same time the HippogrifF shook off his bridle, 
soared away, and flew to rejoin his former master, 
very naturally returning to his accustomed stable. 
Here Astolpho found him, to his very great delight. 
He knew the animal's powers, having seen Rogero ride 
'him, and he longed to fly abroad over all the earth, 
and see various nations and peoples from his airy 
course. He had heard Logestilla's directions how to 
guide the animal, and saw her fit a bridle to his head. 
He therefore was able, out of all the bridles he found 
in the stable, to select one suitable, and, placing Rabi- 
can's saddle on the HippogrifF' s back, nothing seemed 
to prevent his immediate departure. Yet before he 
went he bethought him of placing Rabican in hands 
where he would be safe, and whence he might recover 
him in time of need. While he stood deliberating 
where he should find a messenger, he saw Brada- 
mante approach. That fair warrior had been parted 
from Rogero on their way to the abbey of Vallom- 
brosa, by an inopportune adventure which had called 
the knight away. She was now returning to Mont- 
alban, having arranged with Rogero to join her there. 
To Bradamante, therefore, his fair cousin, Astolpho 
committed Rabican, and also the lance of gold, which 
would only be an incumbrance in his aerial excursion. 
Bradamante took charge of both; and Astolpho, bid- 
ding her farewellj soared in air. 



Io8 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

Among those delivered by Astolpho from the magi- 
cian's castle was Orlando. Following the guide of 
chance, the paladin found himself at the close of day 
in a forest, and stopped at the foot of a mountain. 
Surprised to discern a light which came from a cleft 
in the rock, he approached, guided by the ray, and 
discovered a narrow passage in the mountain-side, 
which led into a deep grotto. 

Orlando fastened his horse, and then, putting aside 
the bushes that resisted his passage, stepped down from 
rock to rock till he reached a sort of cavern. Enter- 
ing it, he perceived a lady, young and handsome, as 
well as he could discover through the signs of distress 
which agitated her countenance. Her only companion 
was an old woman, who seemed to be regarded by her 
young partner with terror and indignation. The cour- 
teous paladin saluted the women respectfully, and 
begged to know by whose barbarity they had been 
subjected to such imprisonment. 

The younger lady replied, in a voice often broken 
with sobs : 

^^ Though I know well that my recital will subject 
me to worse treatment by the barbarous man who 
keeps me here, to whom this woman will not fail to 
report it, yet I will not hide from you the facts. Ah ! 
why should I fear his rage ? If he should take my 
life, I know not what better boon than death I can 
ask. 

<^ My name is Isabella. I am the daughter of the 
king of Galicia, or rather I should say misfortune and 
grief are my parents. Young, rich, modest, and of 
tranquil temper, all things appeared to combine to ren- 
der my lot happy. Alas ! I see myself to-day poor, 
humbled, miserable, and destined perhaps to yet for- 



ASTOLPHO'S ADVENTURES. 109 

ther afflictions. It is a year since, my father having 
given notice that he would open the lists for a tourna- 
ment at Bayonne, a great number of chevaliers from all 
quarters came together at our court. Among these 
Zerbino, son of the king of Scotland, victorious in all 
combats, eclipsed by his beauty and his valor all the 
rest. Before departing from the court of GaHcia he 
testified the wish to espouse me, and I consented that 
he should demand my hand of the king, my father. 
But I was a Mahometan, and Zerbino a Christian, 
and my father refused his consent. The prince, called 
home by his father to take command of the forces des- 
tined to the assistance of the French Emperor, prevailed 
on me to be married to him secretly, and to follow him 
to Scotland. He caused a galley to be prepared to re- 
ceive me, and placed in command of it the chevaher 
Oderic, a Biscayan, famous for his exploits both by 
land and sea. On the day appointed, Oderic brought 
his vessel to a seaside resort of my father's, where I 
embarked. Some of my domestics accompanied me, 
and thus I departed from my native land. 

'^ Sailing with a fair wind, after some hours we were 
assailed by a violent tempest. It was to no purpose 
that we took in all sail ; we were driven before the 
wind directly upon the rocky shore. Seeing no other 
hopes of safety, Oderic placed me in a boat, followed 
himself with a few of his men, and made for land. 
We reached it through infinite peril, and I no sooner felt 
the firm land beneath my feet, than I knelt down and 
poured out heartfelt thanks to the Providence that had 
preserved me. 

**The shore where we landed appeared to be unin- 
habited. We saw no dwelling to shelter us, no road 
to lead us to a more hospitable spot. A high mountain 



no LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

rose before us, whose base stretched into the sea. It 
was here the infamous Oderic, in spite of my tears and 
entreaties, sold me to a band of pirates, who fancied I 
might be an acceptable present to their prince, the Sul- 
tan of Morocco. This cavern is their den, and here 
they keep me under the guard of this woman, until it 
shall suit their convenience to carry me away." 

Isabella had hardly finished her recital when a troop 
of armed men began to enter the cavern. Seeing the 
prince Orlando, one said to the rest, ^^ What bird is 
this we have caught, without even setting a snare for 
him?" Then addressing Orlando, ^^ It was truly 
civil in you, friend, to come hither with that handsome 
coat of armor and vest, the very things I want." 
^^ You shall pay for them, then," said Orlando ; and 
seizing a half-burnt brand from the fire, he hurled it 
at him, striking his head, and stretching him lifeless on 
the floor. 

There was a massy table in the middle of the cavern, 
used for the pirates' repasts. Orlando lifted it and 
hurled it at the robbers as they stood clustered in a group 
toward the entrance. Half the gang were laid pros- 
trate, with broken heads and limbs ; the rest got away 
as nimbly as they could. 

Leaving the den and its inmates to their fate, Or- 
lando, taking Isabella under his protection, pursued his 
way for some days, without. meeting with any advent- 
ure. 

One day they saw a band of men advancing, who 
seemed to be guarding a prisoner, bound hand and foot, 
as if being carried to execution. The prisoner was a 
youthful cavalier, of a noble and ingenuous appearance. 
The band bore the ensigns of Count Anselm, head of 
the treacherous house of Maganza. Orlando desired 



ASTOLPHO'S ADVENTURES. I i I 

Isabella to wait, while he rode forward to inquire the 
meaning of this array. Approaching, he demanded of 
the leader w^ho his prisoner was, and of what crime he 
had been guilty. The man replied that the prisoner 
was a murderer, by whose hand Pinabel, the son of 
Count Anselm, had been treacherously slain. At 
these words the prisoner exclaimed, *^ I am no mur- 
derer, nor have I been in any way the cause of the 
young man's death." Orlando, knowing the cruel 
and ferocious character of the chiefs of the house of 
Maganza, needed no more to satisfy him that the youth 
was the victim of injustice. He commanded the leader 
of the troop to release his victim, and, receiving an in- ' 
Solent reply, dashed him to the earth with a stroke of 
his lance ; then by a few vigorous blows dispersed the 
band, leaving deadly marks on those who were slowest 
to quit the field. 

Orlando then hastened to unbind the prisoner, and 
to assist him to reclothe himself in his armor, which 
the false Magencian had dared to assume. He then 
led him to Isabella, who now approached the scene of 
action. How can we picture the joy, the astonish- 
ment, with which Isabella recognized in him Zerbino, 
her husband, and the prince discovered her whom he 
had believed overwhelmed in the waves ! They em- 
braced one another, and wept for joy. Orlando, shar- 
ing in their happiness, congratulated himself in having 
been the instrument of it. The princess recounted to 
Zerbino what the illustrious paladin had done for her, 
and the prince threw himself at Orlando's feet, and 
thanked him as having twice preserved his life. 

While these exchanges of congratulation and thank- 
fulness were going on, a sound in the underwood at- 
tracted their attention, and caused the two knights to 



112 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

brace their helmets and stand on their guard. What 
the cause of the interruption was we shall record in 
another chapter. 



MEDORO. 

France was at this time the theatre of dreadful 
events. The Saracens and the Christians, in numer- 
ous encounters, slew one another. On one occasion 
Rinaldo led an attack on the infidel columns, broke and 
'scattered them, till he found himself opposite to a 
knight whose armor (whether by accident or by 
choice, it matters not) bore the blazon of Orlando. 
It was Dardinel, the young and brave prince of Zu- 
mara, and Rinaldo remarked him by the slaughter he 
spread all around. <^ Ah," said he to himself, *' let 
us pluck up this dangerous plant before it has grown 
to its full height." 

As Rinaldo advanced, the crowd opened before 
him, the Christians to let his sword have free course, 
the Pagans to escape its sweep. Dardinel and he 
stood face to face. Rinaldo exclaimed, fiercely, 
'' Young man, whoever gave you that noble buckler to 
bear made you a dangerous gift ; I should like to see 
how you are able to defend those quarterings, red and 
white. It you cannot defend them against me, how 
pray will you do so when Orlando challenges them ? " 
Dardinel replied : ^^ Thou shalt learn that I can de- 
fend the arms I bear, and shed new glory upon them. 
No one shall rend them from me but with life." Say- 
ing these words, Dardinel rushed upon Rinaldo with 
sword uplifted. 



MEDORO. 1 1 3 

The chill of mortal terror filled the souls of the 
Saracens when they beheld Rinaldo advance to attack 
the prince, hke a lion against a young bull. The first 
blow came from the hand of Dardinel, and the weapon 
rebounded from Mambrino's helmet without effect. 
Rinaldo smiled, and said, ^^ I will now show you if 
my strokes are more effectual." At these words he 
thrust the unfortunate Dardinel in the middle of his 
breast. The blow was so violent that the cruel 
weapon pierced the body, and came out a palm-- 
breadth behind his back. Through this wound the 
life of Dardinel issued with his blood, and his body 
fell helpless to the ground. 

As a flower which the passing plough has uprooted 
languishes, and droops its head, so Dardinel, his visage 
covered with the paleness of death, expires, and the 
hopes of an illustrious race perish with him. 

Like waters kept back by a dike, which, when the 
dike is broken, spread abroad through all the country, 
so the Moors, no longer kept in column by the 
example of Dardinel, fled in all directions. Rinaldo 
despised too much such easy victories to pursue them ; 
he wished for no combats but with brave men. At 
the same time, the other paladins made terrible slaugh- 
ter of the Moors. Charles himself, Oliver, Guido, 
and Ogier the Dane, carried death into their ranks on 
all sides. 

The infidels seemed doomed to perish to a man on 
that dreadful day ; but the wise king, Marsilius, at last 
put some slight degree of method into the general 
rout. He collected the remnant of the troops, formed 
them into a battalion, and retreated in tolerable order 
to his camp. That camp was well fortified by in- 
trenchments and a broad ditch. Thither the fugitives 



114 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

hastened, and by degrees all that remained of the 
Moorish army was brought together there. 

The Emperor might perhaps that night have crushed 
his enemy entirely ; but not thinking it prudent to 
expose his troops, fatigued as they were, to an attack 
upon a camp so well fortified, he contented himself 
with encompassing the enemy with his troops, pre- 
pared to make a regular siege. During the night the 
Moors had time to see the extent of their loss. Their 
tents resounded with lamentations. This warrior had 
to mourn a brother, that a friend ; many suffered with 
grievous wounds, all trembled at the fate in store for 
them. 

There were two young Moors, both of humble rank, 
who gave proof at that time of attachment and fidelity 
rare in the history of man. Cloridan and Medoro 
had followed their prince, Dardinel, to the wars of 
France. Cloridan, a bold huntsman, combined strength 
with activity. Medoro was a mere youth, his cheeks 
yet fair and blooming. Of all the Saracens, no one 
united so much grace and beauty. His light hair was 
set off by his black and sparkling eyes. The two 
friends were together on guard at the rampart. About 
midnight they gazed on the scene in deep dejection. 
Medoro, with tears in his eyes, spoke of the good 
prince Dardinel, and could not endure the thought 
that his body should be cast out on the plain, deprived 
of funeral honors. '^ O my friend,'' said he, ** must 
then the body of our prince be the prey of wolves 
and ravens ? Alas ! when I remember how he loved 
me, I feel that if I should sacrifice my life to do him 
honor, I should not do more than my duty. I wish, 
dear friend, to seek out his body on the battlefield, and 
give it burial, and I hope to be able to pass through 



MEDORO. 115 

King Charles's camp without discovery, as they are 
probably all asleep. You, Cloridan, will be able to 
say for me, if I should die in the adventure, that 
gratitude and fidelity to my prince were my induce- 
ments." 

Cloridan was both surprised and touched with this 
proof of the young man's devotion. He loved him 
tenderly, and tried for a long time every effort to dis- 
suade him from his design ; but he found Medoro 
determined to accomplish his object or die in the 
endeavor. 

Cloridan, unable to change his purpose, said, *^ I 
will go with you, Medoro, and help you in this gener- 
ous enterprise. I value not life compared with honor, 
and if I did, do you suppose, dear friend, that I could 
live without you ? I would rather fall by the arms 
of our enemies than die of grief for the loss of you." 

When the two friends were relieved from their guard 
duty they went without any followers into the camp 
of the Christians. All there was still ; the fires were 
dying out ; there was no fear of any attempt on the 
part of the Saracens, and the soldiers, overcome by 
fatigue or wine, slept secure, lying upon the ground in 
the midst of their arms and equipage. Cloridan stopped, 
and said, ^^ Medoro, I am not going to quit this camp 
without taking vengeance for the death of our prince. 
Keep watch, be on your guard that no one shall sur- 
prise us ; I mean to mark a road with my sword 
through the ranks of our enemies." So saying, he 
entered the tent where Alpheus slept, who a year 
before had joined the camp of Charles, and pretended 
to be a great physician and astrologer. But his science 
had deceived him, if it gave him hope of dying peace- 
fully in his bed at a good old age ; his lot was to die 



Il6 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

with little warning. Cloridan ran his sword through 
his heart. A Greek and a German followed, who 
had been playing late at dice : fortunate if they had 
continued their game a little longer ; but they never 
reckoned a throw like this among their chances. Clori- 
dan next came to the unlucky Grillon, whose head lay 
softly on his pillow. He dreamed probably of the 
feast from which he had but just retired ; for when 
Cloridan cut off his head wine flowed forth with the 
blood. 

The two young Moors might have penetrated even 
to the tent of Charlemagne ; but knowing that the 
paladins encamped around him kept watch by turns, 
and judging that it was impossible they should all be 
asleep, they were afraid to go too near. They might 
also have obtained rich booty ; but, intent only on 
their object, they crossed the camp, and arrived at 
length at the bloody field, where bucklers, lances, and 
swords lay scattered in the midst of corpses of poor 
and rich, common soldier and prince, horses and pools 
of blood. This terrible scene of carnage would have 
destroyed all hope of finding what they were in search 
of until dawn of day, were it not that the moon lent 
the aid of her uncertain rays. 

Medoro raised his eyes to the planet, and exclaimed, 
'' O holy goddess, whom our fathers have adored 
under three different forms, — thou who displayest thy 
power in heaven, on earth, and in the under-world, — 
thou who art seen foremost among the nymphs chasing 
the beasts of the forest, — cause me to see, I implore 
thee, the spot where my dear master lies, and make 
me all my life long follow the example which thou 
dost exhibit of works of charity and love." 

Either by accident, or that the moon was sensible 



MEDORO. 117 

of the prayer of Medoro, the cloud broke away, and 
the moonlight burst forth as bright as day. The rays 
seemed especially to gild the spot where lay the body 
of Prince Dardinel ; and Medoro, bathed in tears and 
with bleeding heart, recognized him by the quarterings 
of red and white on his shield. 

With groans stifled by his tears, and lamentations 
in accents suppressed, not from any fear for himself, 
for he cared not for life, but lest any one should be 
roused to interrupt their pious duty while yet incom- 
plete, he proposed to his companion that they should 
together bear Dardinel on their shoulders, sharing the 
burden of the beloved remains. 

Marching with rapid strides under their precious 
load, they perceived that the stars began to grow pale, 
and that the shades of night would soon be dispersed 
by the dawn. Just then Zerbino, whose extreme 
valor had urged him far from the camp in pursuit of 
the fugitives, returning, entered the wood in which 
they were. Some knights in his train perceived at a 
distance the two brothers-in-arms. Cloridan saw the 
troop, and, observing that they dispersed themselves 
over the plain as if in search of booty, told Medoro 
to lay down the body, and let each save himself by 
flight. He dropped his part, thinking that Medoro 
would do the same ; but the good youth loved his 
prince too well to abandon him, and continued to 
carry his load singly as well as he might, while Clori- 
dan made his escape. Near by there was a part of 
the wood tufted as if nothing but wild animals had 
ever penetrated it. The unfortunate youth, loaded 
with the weight of his dead master, plunged into its 
recesses. 

Cloridan, when he perceived that he had evaded 



Il8 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

his foes, discovered that Medoro was not with him. 
^^ Ah! " exclaimed he, ^^how could I, dear Medoro, 
so forget myself as to consult my own. safety without 
heeding yours ? " So saying, he retraced the tangled 
passes of the wood toward the place from whence he 
had fled. As he approached he heard the noise of 
horses, and the menacing voices of armed men. Soon 
he perceived Medoro, on foot, with the cavaliers sur- 
rounding him. Zerbino, their commander, bade 
them seize him. The unhappy Medoro turned now 
this way, now that, trying to conceal himself behind 
an oak or a rock, still bearing the body, which he 
would by no means leave. Cloridan not knowing 
how to help him, but resolved to perish with him, if. 
he must perish, takes an arrow, fits it to his bow, dis- 
charges it, and pierces the breast of a Christian 
knight, who falls helpless from his horse. The others 
look this way and that, to discover whence the fatal 
bolt was sped. One, while demanding of his com- 
rades in what direction the arrow came, received a 
second in his throat, which stopped his words, and 
soon closed his eyes to the scene. 

Zerbino, furious at the death of his two comrades, 
ran upon Medoro, seized his golden hair, and dragged 
him forward to slay him. But the sight of so much 
youth and beauty commanded pity. He stayed his 
arm. The young man spoke in suppliant tones. *^ Ah ! 
signor," said he, ^' I conjure you by the God whom 
you serve, deprive me not of life until I shall have 
buried the body of the prince, my master. Fear not 
that I will ask you any other favor ; hfe is not dear to 
me ; I desire death as soon as I shall have performed 
this sacred duty. Do with me then as you please. 
Give my limbs a prey to the birds and beasts ; only 



MEDORO. 119 

let me first bury my prince." Medoro pronounced 
these words with an air so sweet and tender that a 
heart of stone would have been moved by them. 
Zerbino was so to the bottom of his soul. He was 
on the point of uttering words of mercy, when a . 
cruel subaltern, forgetting all respect to his commander, 
plunged his lance into the breast of the young Moor. 
Zerbino, enraged at his brutahty, turned upon the 
wretch to take vengeance, but he saved himself by a 
precipitate flight. 

Cloridan, who saw Medoro fall, could contain him- 
self no longer. He rushed from his concealment, 
threw down his bow, and, sword in hand, seemed 
only desirous of vengeance for Medoro, and to die 
with him. In a moment, pierced through and through 
with many wounds, he exerts the last remnant of his 
strength in dragging himself to Medoro, to die em- 
bracing him. The cavaliers left them thus to rejoin 
Zerbino, whose rage against the murderer of Medoro 
had drawn him away from the spot. 

Cloridan died ; and Medoro, bleeding copiously, 
was drawing near his end when help arrived. 

A young maiden approached the fallen knights at this 
critical moment. Her dress was that of a peasant- 
girl, but her air was noble, and her beauty celestial ; 
sweetness and goodness reigned in her lovely counte- 
nance. It was no other than Angehca, the Princess 
of Cathay. 

When she had recovered that precious ring, as we 
have before related, Angelica, knowing its value, felt 
proud in the power it conferred, travelled alone with- 
out fear, not without a secret shame that she had ever 
been obliged to seek protection in her wanderings of 
the Count Orlando and of Sacripant. She reproached 



I20 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

herself too as with a weakness that she had ever 
thought of marrying Rinaldo ; in fine, her pride grew 
so high as to persuade her that no man living was 
worthy to aspire to her hand. 

Moved with pity at the sight of the young man 
wounded, and melted to tears at hearing the cause, she 
quickly recalled to remembrance the knowledge she had 
acquired in India, where the virtues of plants and the 
art of healing formed part of the education even of 
princesses. The beautiful queen ran into the adjoin- 
ing meadow to gather plants of virtue to staunch the 
flow of blood. Meeting on her way a countryman on 
horseback seeking a strayed heifer, she begged him to 
come to her assistance, and endeavor to remove the 
wounded man to a more secure asylum. 

Angelica, having prepared the plants by bruising 
them between two stones, laid them with her fair 
handon Medoro's wound. The remedy soon restored 
in some degree the strength of the wounded man, 
who, before he would quit the spot, made them cover 
with earth and turf the bodies of his friend and of 
the prince. Then surrendering himself to the pity of 
his deliverers, he allow^ed them to place him on the 
horse of the shepherd, and conduct him to his cottage. 
It was a pleasant farm-house on the borders of the 
wood, bearing marks of comfort and competency. 
There the shepherd lived with his wife and children. 
There Angelica tended Medoro, and there, by the 
devoted care of the beautiful queen, his sad wound 
closed over, and he recov^ered his perfect health, 

O Count Rinaldo, O King Sacripant ! what availed 
it you to possess so many virtues and such fame ? 
What advantage have you derived from all your high 
deserts ? O hapless king, great Agrican ! if you could 



ORLANDO MAD. 121 

return to life, how would you endure to see your-, 
self rejected by one who will bow to the yoke of 
Hymen in favor of a young soldier of humble birth ? 
And thou, Ferrau, and ye numerous others who a 
hundred times have put your lives at hazard for this . 
cruel beauty, how bitter will it be to you to see her 
sacrifice you all to the claims of the humble Medoro ! 

There, under the low roof of a shepherd, the flame 
of Hymen was lighted for this haughty queen. She 
takes the shepherd's wife to serve in place of mother, 
the shepherd and his children for witnesses, and mar- 
ries the happy Medoro. 

Angelica, after her marriage, wishing to endow 
Medoro with the sovereignty of the countries which 
yet remained to her, took with him the road to the 
East. She had preserved through all her adventures 
a bracelet of gold enriched with precious stones, the 
present of the Count Orlando. Having nothing else 
wherewith to reward the good shepherd and his wife, 
who had served her with so much care and fidelity, 
she took the bracelet from her arm and gave it to 
them, and then the newly-married couple directed 
their steps toward those mountains which separate 
France and Spain, intending to wait at Barcelona a ves- 
sel which should take them on their way to the East. 



ORLANDO MAD. 

Orlando, on the loss of Angelica, laid aside his 
crest and arms, and arrayed himself in a suit of black 
armor expressive of his despair. In this guise he car- 
ried such slaughter among the ranks of the infidels that 



122 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

both armies were astonished at the achievements of 
the stranger knight. Mandricardo, who had been 
absent from the battle, heard the report of these 
achievements, and determined to test for himself the 
valor of the knight so extolled. He it w^as who broke 
in upon the conference of Zerbino and Isabella, and 
their benefactor Orlando, as they stood occupied in 
mutual felicitations, after the happy reunion of the 
lovers by the prowess of the paladin. 

Mandricardo, after contemplating the group for a 
moment, addressed himself to Orlando in these words : 
^' Thou must be the man I seek. For ten days and 
more I have been on thy track. The fame of thy 
exploits has brought me hither, that I may measure 
my strength with thine. Thy crest and shield prove 
thee the same who spread such slaughter among our 
troops. But these marks are superfluous, and if I saw 
thee among a hundred I should know thee by thy 
martial bearing to be the man I seek." 

^^ I respect thy courage," said Orlando; *^such a 
design could not have sprung up in any but a brave 
and generous soul. If the desire to see me has 
brought thee hither, I would, if it were possible, show 
thee my inmost soul. I will remove my visor, that 
you may satisfy your curiosity ; but when you have 
done so I hope that you will also try and see if my 
valor corresponds to my appearance." 

'^ Come on," said the Saracen, ^*my first wish was 
to see and know thee ; I will now gratify my second." 

Orlando, observing Mandricardo, was surprised to 
see no sword at his side, nor mace at his saddle-bow. 
*^ And what weapon hast thou," said he, '* if thy 
lance fail thee ? ' ' 

*^ Do not concern yourself about that,~" said Man- 



ORLANDO MAD. I 23 

dricardo ; ** I have made many good knights give 
ground with no other weapon than you see. Know 
that I have sworn an oath never to bear a sword until 
I win back that famous Durindana that Orlando, the 
paladin, carries. That sword belongs to the suit of 
armor which I wear ; that only is wanting. With- 
out doubt it was stolen, but how it got into the hands 
of Orlando I know not. But I will make him pay 
dearly for it when I find him. I seek him the more 
anxiously that I may avenge with his blood the death 
of King Agrican, my father, whom he treacherously 
slew. I am sure he must have done it by treachery, 
for it was not in his power to subdue in fair fight such 
a warrior as my father. ' ' 

^^ Thou liest," cried Orlando; ^^ and all who say 
so lie. I am Orlando, whom you seek ; yes, I am 
he who slew your father honorably. Hold, here is 
the sword : you shall have it if your courage avails to 
merit it. Though it belongs to me by right, I will 
not use it in this dispute. See, I hang it on this tree ; 
you shall be master of it, if you bereave me of life ; 
not else." 

At these words Orlando drew Durindana, and hung 
it on one ot the branches of a tree near by. 

Both knights, boiling with equal ardor, rode off in 
a semicircle ; then rushed together with reins thrown 
loose, and struck one another with their lances. Both 
kept their seats, immovable. The splinters of their 
lances flew into the air, and no weapon remained for 
either but the fragment which he held in his hand. 
Then those two knights, covered with iron mail, were 
reduced to the necessity of fighting with staves, in the 
manner of two rustics, who dispute the boundary of a 
meadow, or the possession of a spring. 



124 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

These clubs could not long keep whole m the hands 
of such sturdy smiters, who were soon reduced to fight 
with naked fists. Such warfare was more painful to 
him that gave than to him that received the blows. 
They next clasped, and strained each his adversary, as 
Hercules did Antasus. Mandricardo, more enraged 
than Orlando, made violent efforts to unseat the pala- 
din, and dropped the rein of his horse. Orlando, 
more calm, perceived it. With one hand he resisted 
Mandricardo, with the other he twitched the horse's 
bridle over the ears of the animal. The Saracen 
dragged Orlando with all his might, but Orlando's 
thighs held the saddle like a vise. At last the efforts 
of the Saracen broke the girths of Orlando's horse ; 
the saddle slipped ; the knight, firm in his stirrups, 
slipped with it, and came to the ground hardly con- 
scious of his fall. The noise of his armor in falling 
startled Mandricardo' s horse, now without a bridle. 
He started off in full career, heeding neither trees 
nor rocks nor broken ground. Urged by fright, he 
ran with furious speed, carrying his master, who, 
almost distracted with rage, shouted and beat the ani- 
mal with his fists, and thereby impelled his flight. 
After running thus three miles or more, a deep ditch 
opposed their progress. The horse and rider fell head- 
long into it, and did not find the bottom covered with 
feather-beds or roses. They got sadly bruised ; but 
were lucky enough to escape without any broken limbs. 

Mandricardo, as soon as he gained his feet, seized 
the horse by his mane with fury, but, having no 
bridle, could not hold him. He looked round in 
hopes of finding something that would do for a rein. 
Just then fortune, who seemed willing to help him at 
last, brought that way a peasant with a bridle in his 



ORLANDO MAD. I 25 

hand, who was in search of his farm horse that had 
strayed away. 

Orlando, having speedily repaired his horse's girths, 
remounted, and waited a good hour for the Saracen 
to return. Not seeing him, he concluded to go in 
search of him. He took an affectionate leave of Zer- 
bino and Isabella, who would willingly have followed 
him ; but this the brave paladin would by no means 
permit. He held it unknightly to go in search of an 
enemy accompanied by a friend, who might act as a 
defender. Therefore, desiring them to say to Man- 
dricardo, if they should meet him, that his purpose 
was to tarry in the neighborhood three days, and then 
repair to the camp of Charlemagne, he took down 
Durindana from the tree, and proceeded in the direc- 
tion which the Saracen's horse had taken. But the 
animal, having no guide but its terror, had so doubled 
and confused its traces that Orlando, after two days 
spent in the search, gave up the attempt. 

It was about the middle of the third day when the 
paladin arrived on the pleasant bank of a stream 
which wound through a meadow enamelled with 
flowers. High trees, whose tops met and formed an 
arbor, overshadowed the fountain ; and the breeze 
which blew through their foliage tempered the heat. 
Hither the shepherds used to resort to quench their 
thirst, and to enjoy the shelter from the midday sun. 
The air, perfumed with the flowers, seemed to breathe 
fresh strength into their veins. Orlando felt the in- 
fluence, though covered with his armor. He stopped 
in this delicious arbor, where everything seemed to 
invite to repose. But he could not have chosen a more 
fatal asylum. He there spent the most miserable 
moments of his life. 



126 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

He looked around, and noted with pleasure all the 
charms of the spot. He saw that some of the trees 
were carved with inscriptions — he drew near, and 
read them, and what was his surprise to find that they 
composed the name of Angelica ! Farther on he 
found the name of Medoro mixed with hers. The 
paladin thought he dreamed. He stood like one 
amazed — like a bird that, rising to fly, finds its feet 
caught in a net. 

Orlando followed the course of the stream, and 
came to one of its turns where the rocks of the moun- 
tain bent in such a way as to form a sort of grotto. 
The twisted stems of ivy and the wild vine draped 
the entrance of this recess, scooped by the hand of 
nature. 

The unhappy paladin, on entering the grotto, saw 
letters which appeared to have been lately carved. 
They were verses which Medoro had written in honor 
of his happy nuptials with the beautiful queen. Or- 
lando tried to persuade himself it must be some other 
Angelica whom those verses celebrated, and as for 
Medoro, he had never heard his name. The sun was 
now decHning, and Orlando remounted his horse, and 
went on his way. He soon saw the roof of a cot- 
tage whence the smoke ascended ; he heard the barking 
of dogs and the lowing of cattle, and arrived at a 
humble dwelling which seemed to offer an asylum for 
the night. The inmates, as soon as they saw him, 
hastened to render him service. One took his horse, 
another his shield and cuirass, another his golden spurs. 
This cottage was the very same where Medoro had 
been carried, deeply wounded, — where Angelica had 
tended him, and afterwards married him. The shep- 
herd who lived in it loved to tell everybody the story 



ORLANDO MAD. I 27 

of this marriage, and soon related it, with all its 
details, to the miserable Orlando. 

Having finished it, he went away, and returned 
with the precious bracelet which Angelica, grateful for 
his services, had given him as a memorial. It was the 
one which Orlando had himself given her. 

This last touch was the finishing stroke to the 
excited paladin. Frantic, exasperated, he exclaimed 
against the ungrateful and cruel princess who had dis- 
dained him, the most renowned, the most indomitable 
of all the paladins of France, — him, who had rescued 
her from the most alarming perils, — him, who had 
fought the most terrible battles for her sake, — she to 
prefer to him a young Saracen ! The pride of the 
noble Count was deeply wounded. Indignant, frantic, 
a victim to ungovernable rage, he rushed into the 
forest, uttering the most frightful shrieks. 

'^ No, no ! " cried he, ^^I am not the man they 
take me for ! Orlando is dead ! I am only the 
wandering ghost of that unhappy Count, who is now 
suffering the torments of hell ! " 

Orlando wandered all night, as chance directed, 
through the wood, and at sunrise his destiny led him 
to the fountain where Medoro had engraved the fatal 
inscription. The frantic paladin saw it a second time 
with fury, drew his sword, and hacked it from the 
rock. 

Unlucky grotto ! you shall no more attract by your 
shade and coolness, you shall no more shelter with 
your arch either shepherd or flock. And you, fresh 
and pure fountain, you may not escape the rage of 
the furious Orlando ! He cast into the fountain 
branches, trunks of trees which he tore up, pieces of 
rocks which he broke off, plants uprooted, with the 



128 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

earth adhering, and turf and bushes, so as to choke 
the fountain, and destroy the purity of its waters. 
At length, exhausted by his violent exertions, bathed 
in sweat, breathless, Orlando sunk panting upon the 
earth, and lay there insensible three days and three 
nights. 

The fourth day he started up and seized his arms. 
His helmet, his buckler, he cast far from him ; his 
hauberk and his clothes he rent asunder ; the frag- 
ments were scattered through the wood. In fine, he 
became a furious madman. His insanity was such 
that he cared not to retain even his sword. But he 
had no need of Durindana, nor of other arms, to do 
wonderful things. His prodigious strength sufficed. 
At the first wrench of his mighty arm he tore up a 
pine-tree by the roots. Oaks, beeches, maples, what- 
ever he met in his path, yielded in like manner. 
The ancient forest soon became as bare as the borders 
of a morass, where the fowler has cleared away the 
bushes to spread his nets. The shepherds, hearing 
the horrible crashing in the forest, abandoned their 
flocks to ran and see the cause of this unwonted up- 
roar. By their evil star, or for their sins, they were 
led thither. When they saw the furious state the 
Count was in, and his incredible force, they would 
fain have fled out of his reach, but in their fears lost 
their presence of mind. The madman pursued them, 
seized one and rent him limb from limb, as easily as 
one would pull ripe apples from a tree. He took 
another by the feet, and used him as a club to knock 
down a third. The shepherds fled ; but it would 
have been hard for any to escape, if he had not at that 
moment left them to throw himself with the same fury 
upon their flocks. The peasants, abandoning their 



ORLANDO MAD. 129 

ploughs and harrows, mounted on the roofs of build- 
ings and pinnacles of the rocks, afraid to trust them- 
selves even to the oaks and pines. From such heights 
they looked on, trembling at the raging fury of the 
unhappy Orlando. His fists, his teeth, his nails, 
his feet, seize, break, and tear cattle, sheep, and 
swine ; the most swift in flight alone being able to 
escape him. 

When at last terror had scattered everything before 
him, he entered a cottage which was abandoned by 
its inhabitants, and there found that which served for 
food. His long fast had caused him to feel the most 
ravenous hunger. Seizing whatever he found that was 
eatable, whether roots, acorns, or bread, raw meat or 
cooked, he gorged it indiscriminately. 

Issuing thence again, the frantic Orlando gave 
chase to whatever living thing he saw, whether men 
or animals. Sometimes he pursued the deer and hind, 
sometimes he attacked bears and wolves, and with his 
naked hands killed and tore them, and devoured their 
flesh. 

Thus he wandered, fi-om place to place, through 
France, imperilling his life a thousand ways, yet 
always preserved by some mysterious providence from 
a fatal result. But here we leave Orlando for a time, 
that we may record what befell Zerbino and Isabella 
after their parting with him. 

The prince and his fair bride waited, by Orlando's 
request, near the scene of the battle for three days, 
that, if Mandricardo should return, they might inform 
him where Orlando would give him another meeting. 
At the end of that time their anxiety to know the 
issue led them to follow Orlando's traces, which led 
them at last to the wood where the trees were in- 



130 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

scribed with the names of Angelica and Medoro. 
They remarked how all these inscriptions were de- 
faced, and how the grotto was disordered, and the 
fountain clogged with rubbish. But that which sur- 
prised them and distressed them most of all was to 
find on the grass the cuirass of Orlando, and not far 
from it his helmet, the same which the renowned Al- 
montes once wore. 

Hearing a horse neigh in the forest, Zerbino turned 
his eyes in that direction, and saw Brigliadoro, with 
the bridle yet hanging at the saddle-bow. He looked 
round for Durindana, and found that famous sword, 
without the scabbard, lying on the grass. He saw 
also the fragments of Orlando's other arms and cloth- 
ing scattered on all sides over the plain. 

Zerbino and Isabella stood in astonishment and 
grief, not knowing what to think, but little imagining 
the true cause. If they had found any marks of blood 
on the arms or on the fragments of the clothing, they 
would have supposed him slain, but there were none. 
While they were in this painful uncertainty they saw 
a young peasant approach. He, not yet recovered 
from the terror of the scene, which he had witnessed 
from the top of a rock, told them the whole of the sad 
events. 

Zerbino, with his eyes full of tears, carefully col- 
lected all the scattered arms. Isabella also dismounted 
to aid him in the sad duty. When they had collected 
all the pieces of that rich armor they hung them like 
a trophy on a pine ; and to prevent their being vio- 
lated by any passers-by, Zerbino inscribed on the bark 
this caution: *^ These are the arms of the Paladin 
Orlando." 

Having finished this pious work, he remounted his 



ZERBINO AND ISABELLA. 13 I 

horse, and just then a knight rode up, and requested 
Zerbino to tell him the meaning of the trophy. The 
prince related the facts as they had happened ; and 
Mandricardo, for it was that Saracen knight, full of joy, 
rushed forward, and seized the sword, saying, ^^ No 
one can censure me for what I do ; this sword is mine ; 
I can take my own wherever I find it. It is plain 
that Orlando, not daring to defend it against me, has 
counterfeited madness to excuse him in surrendering 
it." 

Zerbino vehemently exclaimed, ^^ Touch not that 
sword. Think not to possess it without a contest. If 
it be true that the arms you wear are those of Hector, 
you must have got them by theft, and not by 
prowess." 

Immediately they attacked one another with the 
utmost fury. The air resounded with thick-falling 
blows. Zerbino, skilful and alert, evaded for a time 
with good success the strokes of Durindana ; but at 
length a terrible blow struck him on the neck. He 
fell fi-om his horse, and the Tartar king, possessed 
of the spoils of his victory, rode away. 



ZERBINO AND ISABELLA. 

Zerbino' s pain at seeing the Tartar prince go off 
with the sword surpassed the anguish of his wound ; 
but now the loss of blood so reduced his strength that 
he could not move from where he fell. Isabella, not 
knowing whither to resort for help, could only bemoan 
him, and chide her cruel fate. Zerbino said, '^ If I 
could but leave thee, my best beloved, in some secure 



132 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

abode, it would not distress me to die ; but to abandon 
thee so, without protection, is sad indeed." She re- 
plied, ^^ Think not to leave me, dearest; our souls 
shall not be parted ; this sword will give me the means 
to follow thee." Zerbino's last words implored her 
to banish such a thought, but live, and be true to his 
memory. Isabella promised, with many tears, to be 
faithful to him so long as life should last. 

When he ceased to breathe, Isabella's cries re- 
sounded through the forest, and reached the ears of 
a reverend hermit, who hastened to the spot. He 
soothed and calmed her, urging those consolations 
which the word of God supplies ; and at last brought 
her to wish for nothing else but to devote herself for 
the rest of life wholly to religion. 

As she could not bear the thoughts of leaving her 
dead lord abandoned, the body was, by the good her- 
mit's aid, placed upon the horse, and taken to the 
nearest inhabited place, where a chest was made for 
it, suitable to be carried with them on their way. 
The hermit's plan was to escort his charge to a monas- 
tery, not many days' journey distant, where Isabella 
resolved to spend the remainder of her days. Thus 
they travelled day after day, choosing the most retired 
ways, for the country was full of armed men. One 
day a cavalier met them, and barred their way. It 
was no other than Rodomont, king of Algiers, who 
had just left the camp of Agramant, full of indignation 
at the treatment he had received from Doralice. At 
sight of the lovely lady and her reverend attendant, 
with their horse laden with a burden draped with black, 
he asked the meaning of their journey. Isabella told 
him her affliction, and her resolution to renounce the 
world and devote herself to reHgion, and to the mem- 



ZERBINO AND ISABELLA. 133 

ory of the friend she had lost. Rodomont laughed 
scornfully at this, and told her that her project was 
absurd ; that charms like hers were meant to be en- 
joyed, not buried, and that he himself would more 
than make amends for her dead lover. The monk, 
who promptly interposed to rebuke this impious talk, 
was commanded to hold his peace ; and still persisting, 
was seized by the knight and hurled over the edge of 
the cliff, where he fell into the sea, and was drowned. 

Rodomont, when he had got rid of the hermit, 
again applied to the sad lady, heartless with affright, 
and, in the language used by lovers, said, *^she was 
his very heart, his Hfe, his light." Having laid aside 
all violence, he humbly sued that she would accom- 
pany him to his retreat, near by. It was a ruined 
chapel from which the monks had been driven by the 
disorders of the time, and which Rodomont had taken 
possession of. Isabella, who had no choice but to 
obey, followed him, meditating as she went what re- 
source she could find to escape out of his power, and 
keep her vow to her dead husband, to be faithful to 
his memory as long as life should last. At length she 
said, '^If, my lord, you will let me go and fulfil my 
vow, and my intention, as I have already declared it, 
I will bestow upon you what will be to you of more 
value than a hundred women's hearts. I know an 
herb, and I have seen it on our way, which, rightly 
p/epared, affords a juice of such power, that the flesh, 
if laved with it, becomes impenetrable to sword or fire. 
This liquor I can make, and will, to-day, if you will 
accept my offer ; and when you have seen its virtue 
you will value it more than if all Europe were made 
your own." 

Rodomont, at hearing this, readily promised all that 



134 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

was asked, so eager was he to learn a secret that would 
make him as Achilles was of yore. Isabella, having 
collected such herbs as she thought proper, and boiled 
them, with certain mysterious signs and words, at length 
declared her labor done, and, as a test, offered to try 
its virtue on herself. She bathed her neck and bosom 
with the liquor, and then called on Rodomont to smite 
with all his force, and see whether his sword had 
power to harm. The pagan, who during the prepar- 
ations had taken frequent draughts of wine, and scarce 
knew what he did, drew his sword at the word, and 
struck across her neck with all his might, and the fair 
head leapt sundered from the snowy neck and breast. 

Rude and unfeeling as he was, the pagan knight 
lamented bitterly this sad result. To honor her mem- 
ory he resolved to do a work as unparalleled as her 
devotion. From all parts round he caused laborers to 
be brought, and had a tower built to enclose the 
chapel, within which the remains of Zerbino and 
Isabella were entombed. Across the stream which 
flowed near by he built a bridge, scarce two yards 
wide, and added neither parapet nor rail. On the top 
of the tower a sentry was placed, who, when any 
traveller approached the bridge, gave notice to his 
master. Rodomont thereupon sallied out, and defied 
the approaching knight to fight him upon the bridge, 
where any chance step a little aside would plunge the 
rider headlong in the stream. This bridge he vowed 
to keep until a thousand suits of armor should be won 
from conquered knights, wherewith to build a trophy 
to his victim and her lord. 

Within ten days the bridge was built, and the tower 
was in progress. In a short time many knights, either 
seeking the shortest route, or tempted by a desire of 



ZERBINO AND ISABELLA. 1 35 

adventure, had made the attempt to pass the bridge. 
All, without exception, had lost either arms or life, 
or both ; some falling before Rodomont's lance, others 
precipitated into the river. One day, as Rodomont 
stood urging his workmen, it chanced that Orlando in 
his furious mood came thither, and approached the 
bridge. Rodomont halloed to him, ^^ Halt, churl ; 
presume not to set foot upon that bridge ; it was not 
made for such as you ! " Orlando took no notice, 
but pressed on. Just then a gentle damsel rode up. 
It was Flordehs, who was seeking her Florismart. 
She saw Orlando, and, in spite of his strange appear- 
ance, recognized him. Rodomont, not used to have 
his commands disobeyed, laid hands on the madman, 
and would have thrown him into the river, but to 
his astonishment found himself in the gripe of one not 
so easily disposed of. '^ How can a fool have such 
strength ? " he growled between his teeth. Flordelis 
stopped to see the issue, where each of these two 
puissant warriors strove to throw the other from the 
bridge. Orlando at last had strength enough to lift 
his foe with all his armor, and fling him over the side, 
but had not wit to clear himself from him, so both 
fell together. High flashed the wave as they together 
smote its surface. Here Orlando had the advantage ; 
he was naked, and could swim like a fish. He soon 
reached the bank, and, careless of praise or blame, 
stopped not to see what came of the adventure. 
Rodomont, entangled with his armor, escaped with 
difficulty to the bank. Meantime, Flordelis passed the 
bridge unchallenged. 

After long wandering without success she returned 
to Paris, and there found the object of her search ; 
for Florismart, after the fall of Albracca, had repaired 



136 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

thither. The joy of meeting was clouded to Floris- 
mart by the news which Flordelis brought of Or- 
lando's wretched pHght. The last she had seen of 
him was when he fell with Rodomont into the stream. 
Florismart, who loved Orlando like a brother, resolved 
to set out immediately, under the guidance of the lady, 
to find him, and bring him where he might receive 
the treatment suited to his case. A few days brought 
them to the place where they found the Tartar king 
still guarding the bridge. The usual challenge and 
defiance was made, and the knights rode to encounter 
one another on the bridge. At the first encounter 
both horses were overthrown ; and, having no space 
to regain their footing, fell with their riders into the 
water. Rodomont, who knew the soundings of the 
stream, soon recovered the land ; but Florismart was 
carried downward by the current, and landed at last 
on a bank of mud where his horse could hardly find 
footing. Flordelis, who watched the battle from the 
bridge, seeing her lover in this piteous case, exclaimed 
aloud, '^ Ah ! Rodomont, for love of her whom dead 
you honor, have pity on me, who love this knight, 
and slay him not. Let it suffice he yields his armor 
to the pile, and none more glorious will it bear than 
his." Her prayer, so well directed, touched the 
pagan's heart, though hard to move, and he lent his 
aid to help the knight to land. He kept him a 
prisoner, however, and added his armor to the pile. 
Flordelis, with a heavy heart, went her way. 

We must now return to Rogero, who, when we 
parted with him, was engaged in an adventure which 
arrested his progress to the monastery whither he was 
bound with the intention of receiving baptism, and 
thus qualifying himself to demand Bradamante as his 



ZERBINO AND ISABELLA. 137 

bride. On his way he met with Mandricardo, and 
the quarrel was revived respecting the right to wear 
the badge of Hector. After a warm discussion both 
parties agreed to submit the question to King Agramant, 
and for that purpose took their way to the Saracen 
camp. Here they met Gradasso, who had his contro- 
versy also with Mandricardo. This warrior claimed 
the sword of Orlando, denying the right of Mandricardo 
to possess it in virtue of his having found it abandoned 
by its owner. King Agramant strove in vain to 
reconcile these quarrels, and was forced at last to con- 
sent that the points in dispute should be settled by 
one combat, in which Mandricardo should meet one of 
the other champions, to whom should be committed the 
cause of both. Rogero was chosen by lot to maintain 
Gradasso' s cause and his own. Great preparations 
were made for this signal contest. On the appointed 
day it was fought in the presence of Agramant, and of 
the whole army. Rogero won it ; and Mandricardo, 
the conqueror of Hector's arms, the challenger of 
Orlando, and the slayer of Zerbino, lost his life. 
Gradasso received Durindana as his prize, which lost 
half its value in his eyes, since it was won by another's 
prowess, not his own. 

Rogero, though victorious, was severely wounded, 
and lay helpless many weeks in the camp of Agramant, 
while Bradamante, ignorant of the cause of his delay, 
expected him at Montalban. Thither he had prom- 
ised to repair in fifteen days, or twenty at furthest, 
hoping to have obtained by that time an honorable 
discharge from his obligations to the Saracen com- 
mander. The twenty days were passed, and a 
month more, and still Rogero came not, nor did any 
tidings reach Bradamante accounting for his absence. 



138 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

At the end of that time, a wandering knight brought 
news of the famous combat, and of Rogero's wound. 
He added, what alarmed Bradamante still more, that 
Marphisa, a female warrior, young and fair, was in 
attendance on the wounded knight. He added that 
the whole army expected that, as soon as Rogero's 
wounds were healed, the pair would be united in 
marriage. 

Bradamante, distressed by this news, though she 
believed it but in part, resolved to go immediately and 
see for herself. She mounted Rabican, the horse of 
Astolpho, which he had committed to her care, and 
took with her the lance of gold, though unaware of 
its wonderful powers. Thus accoutred, she left the 
castle, and took the road toward Paris and the camp 
of the Saracens. 

Marphisa, whose devotion to Rogero in his illness 
had so excited the jealousy of Bradamante, was the 
twin sister of Rogero. She, with him, had been taken 
in charge when an infant by Atlantes, the magician, 
but while yet a child she had been stolen away by an 
Arab tribe. Adopted by their chief, she had early 
learned horsemanship and skill in arms, and at this 
time had come to the camp of Agramant with no 
other view than to see and test for herself the prowess 
of the warriors of either camp, whose fame rang 
through the world. Arriving at the very moment of 
the late encounter, the name of Rogero, and some few 
facts of his story which she learned, were enough to 
suggest the idea that it was her brother whom she saw 
victorious in the single combat. Inquiry satisfied the 
two of their near kindred, and from that moment Mar- 
phisa devoted herself to the care of her new-found and 
much-loved brother. 



ZERBINO AND ISABELLA. 1 39 

In those moments of seclusion Rogero informed his 
sister of what he had learned of their parentage from 
old Atlantes. Rogero, their father, a Christian knight, 
had won the heart of Galaciella, daughter of the Sul- 
tan of Africa, and sister of King Agramant, converted 
her to the Christian faith, and secretly married her. 
The Sultan, enraged at his daughter's marriage, drove 
her husband into exile, and caused her with her infant 
children, Rogero and Marphisa, to be placed in a 
boat and committed to the winds and waves, to perish ; 
from which fate they were saved by Atlantes. On 
hearing this, Marphisa exclaimed, *^ How can you, 
brother, leave our parents unavenged so long, and 
even submit to serve the son of the tyrant who so 
wronged them ? " Rogero replied that it was but 
lately he had learned the full truth ; that when he 
learned it he was already embarked with Agramant, 
from whom he had received knighthoocl, and that he 
only waited for a suitable opportunity when he might 
with honor desert his standard, and at the same time 
return to the faith of his fathers. Marphisa hailed this 
resolution with joy, and declared her intention to join 
with him in embracing the Christian faith. 



We left Bradamante when, mounted on Rabican 
and armed with Astolpho's lance, she rode forth, de- 
termined to learn the cause of Rogero's long absence. 
One day, as she rode, she met a damsel, of visage 
and of manners fair, but overcome with grief. It was 
Flordelis, who was seeking far and near a champion 
capable of liberating and avenging her lord. Flordelis 
marked the approaching warrior, and, judging from 
appearances, thought she had found the champion she 



140 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

sought. ^^ Are you. Sir Knight," she said, '^ so 
daring and so kind as to take up my cause against a 
fierce and cruel warrior who has made prisoner of my 
lord, and forced me thus to be a wanderer and a sup- 
pliant ? " Then she related the events which had 
happened at the bridge. Bradamante, to whom noble 
enterprises were always welcome, readily embraced 
this, and the rather as in her gloomy forebodings she 
felt as if Rogero was forever lost to her. 

Next day the two arrived at the bridge. The 
sentry descried them approaching, and gave notice to 
his lord, who thereupon donned his armor and went 
forth to meet them. Here, as usual, he called on the 
advancing warrior to yield his horse and arms an 
oblation to the tomb. Bradamante replied, asking by 
what right he called on the innocent to do penance 
for his crime. '^ Your life and your armor," she 
added, ^' are the fittest offering to her tomb, and I, a 
woman, the fittest champion to take them." With 
that she couched her spear, spurred her horse, and 
ran to the encounter. King Rodomont came on with 
speed. The trampling sounded on the bridge like 
thunder. It took but a moment to decide the contest. 
The golden lance did its office, and that fierce Moor, 
so renowned in tourney, lay extended on the bridge. 
** Who is the loser now?" said Bradamante; but 
Rodomont, amazed that a woman's hand should have 
laid him low, could not or would not answer. Silent 
and sad, he raised himself, unbound his helm and mail, 
and flung them against the tomb ; then, sullen and on 
foot, left the ground ; but first gave orders to one of 
his squires to release all his prisoners. They had been 
sent off to Africa. Besides Florismart, there were 
Sansonnet and Oliver, who had ridden that way in 



2ERBINO AND ISABELLA. I4I 

quest of Orlando, and had both in turn been over- 
thrown in the encounter. 

Bradamante after her victory resumed her route, 
and in due time reached the Christian camp, where 
she readily learned an explanation of the mystery 
which had caused her so much anxiety. Rogero and 
his fair and brave sister, Marphisa, were too illustri- 
ous by their station and exploits not to be the frequent 
topic of discourse even among their adversaries, and 
all that Bradamante was anxious to know reached her 
ear, almost without inquiry. 

We now return to Gradasso, who by Rogero 's 
victory had been made possessor of Durindana. There 
now only remained to him to seek the horse of 
Rinaldo ; and the challenge, given and accepted, was 
yet to be fought with that warrior, for it had been 
interrupted by the arts of Malagigi. Gradasso now 
sought another meeting with Rinaldo, and met with 
no reluctance on his part. As the combat was for 
the possession of Bayard, the knights dismounted and 
fought on foot. Long time the battle lasted. Rinaldo, 
knowing well the deadly stroke of Durindana, used all 
his art to parry or avoid its' blow. Gradasso struck 
with might and main, but wellnigh all his strokes were 
spent in air, or if they smote they fell obliquely and 
did little harm. 

Thus had they fought long, glancing at one another's 
eyes, and seeing naught else, when their attention was 
arrested perforce by a strange noise. They turned, 
and beheld the good Bayard attacked by a monstrous 
bird. Perhaps it was a bird, for such it seemed ; but 
when or where such a bird was ever seen I have no- 
where read, except in Turpin ; and I am inclined to 
believe that it was not a bird, but a fiend, evoked from 



142 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

underground by Malagigi, and thither sent on purpose 
to interrupt the fight. Whether a fiend or a fowl, 
the monster flew right at Bayard, and clapped his 
wings in his face. Thereat the steed broke loose, and 
ran madly across the plain, pursued by the bird, till 
Bayard plunged into the wood, and was lost to sight. 

Rinaldo and Gradasso, seeing Bayard's escape, 
agreed to suspend their battle till they could recover 
the horse, the object of contention. Gradasso mounted 
his steed, and followed the foot-marks of Bayard into 
the forest. Rinaldo, never more vexed in spirit, 
remained at the spot, Gradasso having promised to 
return thither with the horse, if he found him. He 
did find him, after long search, for he had the good 
fortune to hear him neigh. Thus he became possessed 
of both the objects for which he had led an army from 
his own country, and invaded France. He did not 
forget his promise to bring Bayard back to the place 
where he had left Rinaldo, but only muttering, 
^* Now I have got him, he httle knows me who 
expects me to give him up ; if Rinaldo wants the 
horse let him seek him in India, as I have sought him 
in France, ' ' — he made the best of his w^ay to Aries, 
where his vessels lay ; and in possession of the two 
objects of his ambition, the horse and the sword, sailed 
away to his own country. 



ASTOLPHO IN ABYSSINIA. 

When we last parted with the adventurous paladin 
Astolpho, he w^as just commencing that flight over the 
countries of the world from which he promised him- 
self so much gratification. Our readers are aware that 



ASTOLPHO IN ABYSSINIA. 143 

the eagle and the falcon have not so swift a flight as 
the HippogrifF on which Astolpho rode. It was not 
long, therefore, before the paladin, directing his course 
toward the southeast, arrived over that part of Africa 
where the great river Nile has its source. Here he 
alighted, and found himself in the neighborhood of the 
capital of Abyssinia, ruled by Senapus, whose riches 
and power were immense. His palace was of sur- 
passing splendor ; the bars of the gates, the hinges 
and locks, were all of pure gold ; in fact, this metal, in 
that country, is put to all those uses for which we 
employ iron. It is so common that they prefer for 
ornamental purposes rock crystal, of which all the 
columns were made. Precious stones of different 
kinds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, and topazes were 
set in ornamental designs, and the walls and ceilings 
were adorned with pearls. 

It is in this country those famous balms grow of 
which there are some few plants in that part of Judaea 
called Gilead. Musk, ambergris, and numerous gums, 
so precious in Europe, are here in their native climate. 
It is said the Sultan of Egypt pays a vast tribute to 
the monarch of this country to hire him not to cut off 
the source of the Nile, which he might easily do, and 
cause the river to flow in some other direction, thus 
depriving Egypt of the source of its fertility. 

At the time of Astolpho' s arrival in his dominions, 
this monarch was in great aflliction. In spite of his 
riches and the precious productions of his country, he 
was in danger of dying of hunger. He was a prey 
to a flock of obscene birds called Harpies, which 
attacked him whenever he sat at meat, and with their 
claws snatched, tore, and scattered everything, over- 
turning the vessels, devouring the food, and infecting 



144 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

what they left with their filthy touch. It was said 
this punishment was inflicted upon the king because 
when young, and filled with pride and presumption, 
he had attempted to invade with an army the terres- 
trial paradise, which is situated on the top of a moun- 
tain whence the Nile draws its source. Nor was this 
his only punishment. He was struck blind. 

Astolpho, on arriving in the dominions of this 
monarch, hastened to pay him his respects. King 
Senapus received hrni graciously, and ordered a splen- 
did repast to be prepared in honor of his arrival. 
While the guests were seated at table, Astolpho filling 
the place of dignity at the king's right hand, the 
horrid scream of the Harpies was heard in the air, 
and soon they approached, hovering over the tables, 
seizing the food from the dishes, and overturning 
everything with the flapping of their broad wings. In 
vain the guests struck at them with knives and any 
weapons which they had, and Astolpho drew his 
sword and gave them repeated blows, which seemed 
to have no more effect upon them than if their bodies 
had been made of tow. 

At last Astolpho thought of his horn. He first 
gave warning to the king and his guests to stop their 
ears ; then blew a blast. The Harpies, terrified at the 
sound, flew away as fast as their wings could carry 
them. The paladin mounted his Hippogrifl^, and pur- 
sued them, blowing his horn as often as he came near 
them. They stretched their flight towards the great 
mountain, at the foot of which there is a cavern, 
which is thought to be the mouth of the infernal 
abodes. Hither those horrid birds flew, as if to their 
home. Having seen them all disappear in the recess, 
Astolpho cared not to pursue them farther, but 



ASTOLPHO IN ABYSSINIA. I45 

alighting, rolled huge stones into the mouth of the 
cave, and piled branches of trees therein, so that he 
effectually barred their passage out, and we have no 
evidence of their ever having been seen since in the 
outer air. 

After this labor Astolpho refreshed himself by bath- 
ing in a fountain whose pure waters bubbled from a 
cleft of the rock. Having rested awhile, an earnest 
desire seized him of ascending the mountain which 
towered above him. The HippogrifF bore him swiftly 
upwards, and landed him on the top of the mountain, 
which he found to be an extensive plain. 

A splendid palace rose in the middle of this plain, 
whose walls shone with such brilliancy that mortal 
eyes could hardly bear the sight. Astolpho guided the 
winged horse towards this edifice, and made him poise 
himself in the air while he took a leisurely survey of 
this favored spot and its environs. It seemed as if 
nature and art had striven with one another to see 
which could do the most for its embellishment. 

Astolpho, on approaching the edifice, saw a venera- 
ble man advance to meet him. This personage was 
clothed in a long vesture as white as snow, while a 
mande of purple covered his shoulders, and hung down 
to the ground. A white beard descended to his 
middle, and his hair, of the same color, overshadowed 
his shoulders. His eyes were so brilliant that Astol- 
pho felt persuaded that he was a blessed inhabitant of 
the heavenly mansions. 

The sage, smiling benignantly upon the paladin, 
who from respect had dismounted from his horse, said 
to him : ^^ Noble chevalier, know that it is by the 
Divine will you have been brought to the terrestrial 
paradise. Your mortal nature could not have borne 



146 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

to scale these heights and reach these seats of bliss if it 
were not the will of Heaven that you should be in- 
structed in the means to succor Charles, and to sustain 
the glory of our holy faith. I am prepared to impart 
the needed counsels ; but before I begin let me wel- 
come you to our sojourn. I doubt not your long fast 
and distant journey have given you a good appetite." 

The aspect of the venerable man filled the prince 
with admiration ; but his surprise ceased when he 
learned from him that he was that one of the Apostles 
of our Lord to whom he said, *^1 will that thou tarry 
till I come." 

St. John, conducting Astolpho, rejoined his com- 
panions. These were the patriarch Enoch and the 
prophet Elijah ; neither of whom had yet seen his 
dying day, but, taken from our lower world, wxre 
dwelling in a region of peace and joy, in a climate of 
eternal spring, till the last trumpet shall sound. 

The three holy inhabitants of the terrestrial paradise 
received Astolpho with the greatest kindness, carried 
him to a pleasant apartment, and took great care of 
the Hippogriff, to whom they gave such food as 
suited him, while to the prince they presented fruits 
so delicious that he felt inclined to excuse our first 
parents for their sin in eating them without permission. 

Astolpho, having recruited his strength, not only 
by these excellent fruits, but also by sweet sleep, 
roused himself at the first blush of dawn, and as 
soon as he left his chamber met the beloved Apostle 
coming to seek him. St. John took him by the hand, 
and told him many things relating to the past and 
the future. Among others, he said, " Son, let me 
tell you what is now going on in France. Orlando, 
the illustrious prince who received at his birth the 



ASTOLPHO IN ABYSSINIA. 14- 

endowment of strength and courage more than mortal, 
raised up as was Samson of old to be the champion of 
the true faith, has been guilty of the basest ingrati- 
tude in leaving the Christian camp when it most 
needed the support ot his arm, to run after a Saracen 
princess, whom he would fain marry, though she 
scorns him. To punish him his reason has been taken 
away, so that he runs naked through the land, over 
mountains and through valleys, without a ray of in- 
telHgence. The duration of his punishment has been 
iixed at three months, and that time having nearly 
expired, you have been brought hither to learn from 
us the means by which the reason of Orlando may be 
restored. True, you will be obliged to make a 
journev with me, and we must even leave the earth, 
and ascend to the moon, for it is m that planet we are 
to seek the remedy for the madness of the paladin. I 
propose to make our journey this evening, as soon as 
the moon appears over our head." 

As soon as the sun sunk beneath the seas, and the 
moon presented its luminous disk, the holy man had 
the chariot brought out in Vv"hich he was accustomed 
to make excursions among the stars, the same which 
was employed long ago to convey Elijah up from 
earth. The saint made Astolpho seat himself beside 
him, took the reins, and gi^^ng the word to the 
coursers, thev bore them upward with astonishing 
celerity. 

At length they reached the great continent of the 
Moon. Its surface appeared to be of polished steel, 
with here and there a spot which, like rust, obscured 
its brightness. The paladin was astonished to see that 
the earth, with all its seas and rivers, seemed but an 
insignificant spot in the distance. 



148 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

The prince discovered in this region so new to him 
rivers, lakes, plains, hills, and valleys. Many beauti- 
ful cities and castles enriched the landscape. He saw 
also vast forests, and heard in them the sound of horns 
and the barking of dogs, which led him to conclude 
that the nymphs were following the chase. 

The knight, filled with wonder at all he saw, was 
conducted by the saint to a valley, where he stood 
amazed at the riches strewed all around him. Well 
he might be so, for that valley was the receptacle of 
things lost on earth, either by men's fault, or by the 
eifect of time and chance. Let no one suppose we 
speak here of kingdoms or of treasures ; they are the 
toys of Fortune, which she dispenses in turning her 
wheel ; we speak of things which she can neither give 
nor take away. Such are reputations, which appear 
at one time so brilliant, and a short time after are 
heard of no more. Here, also, are countless vows and 
prayers for unattainable objects, lovers' sighs and tears, 
time spent in gaming, dressing, and doing nothing, the 
leisure of the dull and the intentions of the lazy, 
baseless projects, intrigues, and plots ; these and such 
like things fill all the valley. 

Astolpho had a great desire to understand all that 
he saw, and which appeared to him so extraordinary. 
Among the rest, he observed a great mountain of 
blown bladders, from which issued indistinct noises. 
The saint told him these were the dynasties of Assy- 
rian and Persian kings, once the wonder of the earth, 
of which now scarce the name remains. 

Astolpho could not help laughing when the saint 
said to him, *' All these hooks of silver and gold that 
you see are the gifts of courtiers to princes, made in 
the hope of getting something better in return." He 



ASTOLPHO IN ABYSSINIA. 1 49 

also showed him garlands of flowers in which snares 
were concealed ; these were flatteries and adulations, 
meant to deceive. But nothing was so comical as the 
sight of numerous grasshoppers which had burst their 
lungs with chirping. These, he told him, were son- 
nets, odes, and dedications, addressed by venal poets 
to great people. 

The paladin beheld with wonder what seemed a lake 
of spilled milk. *^ It is," said the saint, *^the charity 
done by frightened misers on their death-beds." It 
would take too long to tell all that the valley con- 
tained : meanness, afl^ectations, pretended virtues, and 
concealed vices were there in abundance. 

Among the rest Astolpho perceived many days of 
his own lost, and many imprudent sallies which he had 
made, and would have been glad not to have been 
reminded of. But he also saw among so many lost 
things a great abundance of one thing which men are 
apt to think they all possess, and do not think it neces- 
sary to pray for, — good sense. This commodity ap- 
peared under the form of a hqaor, most light and apt 
to evaporate. It was therefore kept in vials, firmly 
sealed. One of these was labelled, *^The sense of 
the Paladin Orlando." 

All the bottles were ticketed, and the sage placed 
one in Astolpho 's hand, which he found was his own. 
It was more than half full. He was surprised to find 
there many other vials which contained almost the 
whole of the wits of many persons who passed among 
men for wise. Ah, how easy it is to lose one's reason ! 
Some lose theirs by yielding to the sway of the pas- 
sions ; some in braving tempests and shoals in search 
of wealth ; some by trusting too much to the promises 
of the great ; some by setting their hearts on trifles. 



150 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

As might have been expected, the bottles which held 
the wits of astrologers, inventors, metaphysicians, and 
above all, of poets, were in general the best filled 
of all. 

Astolpho took his bottle, put it to his nose, and in- 
haled it all ; and Turpin assures us that he was for a 
long time afterwards as sage as one could wish ; but 
the Archbishop adds that there was reason to fear that 
some of the precious fluid afterwards found its way 
back into the bottle. The paladin took also the 
bottle which belonged to Orlando. It was a large 
one, and quite full. 

Before quitting the planetary region Astolpho was 
conducted to an edifice on the borders of a river. He 
was shown an immense hall full of bundles of silk, 
linen, cotton, and wool. A thousand difi^erent colors, 
brilliant or dull, some quite black, were among these 
skeins. In one part of the hall an old woman was 
busy winding off yarns from all these different bundles. 
When she had finished a skein another ancient dame 
took it and placed it with others ; a third selected from 
the fleeces spun, and mingled them in due proportions. 
The paladin inquired what all this might be. ** These 
old women," said the saint, ^^ are the Fates, who spin, 
measure, and terminate the lives of mortals. As long 
as the thread stretches in one of those skeins, so long 
does the mortal enjoy the light of day ; but nature and 
death are on the alert to shut the eyes of those whose 
thread is spun." 

Each one of the skeins had a label of gold, silver, or 
iron, bearing the name of the individual to whom it 
belonged. An old man, who, in spite of the burden 
of years, seemed brisk and active, ran without ceasing 
to fill his apron with these labels, and carried them 



ASTOLPHO IN ABYSSINIA. I 51 

away to throw them into the river, whose name was 
Lethe. When he reached the shore of the river the 
old man shook out his apron, and the labels sunk to the 
bottom. A small number only floated for a time, 
hardly one in a thousand. Numberless birds, hawks, 
crows, and vultures hovered over the stream, with 
clamorous cries, and strove to snatch from the water 
some of these names ; but they were too heavy for 
them, and after a while the birds were forced to let 
them drop into the river of oblivion. But two beauti-. 
. ful swans, of snowy whiteness, gathered some few of 
the names, and returned with them to the shore, 
where a lovely nymph received them from their beaks, 
and carried them to a temple placed upon a hill, and 
suspended them for all time upon a sacred column, on 
which stood the statue of Immortality. 

Astolpho was amazed at all this, and asked his guide 
to explain it. He replied, ^^ The old man is Time. 
All the names upon the tickets would be immortal if 
the old man did not plunge them into the river of 
oblivion. Those clamorous birds which make vain 
efforts to save certain of the names are flatterers, pen- 
sioners, venal rhymesters, who do their best to rescue 
from oblivion the unworthy names of their patrons ; 
but all in vain ; they may keep them from their fate a 
little while, but ere long the river of oblivion must 
swallow them all. 

*^ The swans, that with harmonious strains carry 
certain names to the temple of Eternal Memory, are 
the great poets, who save from oblivion worse than 
death the names of those they judge worthy of immor- 
tality. Swans of this kind are rare. Let monarchs 
know the true breed, and fail not to nourish with care 
such as may chance to appear in their time." 



152 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 



THE WAR IN AFRICA. 

When Astolpho had descended to the earth with 
the precious phial St. John showed him a plant of 
marvellous virtues, with which he 'told him he had 
only to touch the eyes of the king of Abyssinia to re- 
store him to sight. ''That important service," said 
the saint, '' added to your having deUvered him from 
the Harpies, will induce him to give you an army 
wherewith to attack the Africans in their rear, and 
force them to return from France to defend their own 
country." The saint also instructed him how to lead, 
his troops in safety across the great deserts, where 
caravans are often overwhelmed with moving columns 
of sand. Astolpho, fortified with ample instructions, 
remounted the Hippogriff, thanked the saint, received his 
blessing, and took his flight down to the level country. 

Keeping the course of the river Nile, he soon ar- 
rived at the capital of Abyssinia, and rejoined Senapus. 
The joy of the king was great when he heard again 
the voice of the hero who had delivered him from the 
Harpies. Astolpho touched his eyes with the plant 
which he had brought from the terrestrial paradise, and 
restored their sight. The king's gratitude was un- 
bounded. He begged him to name a reward, prom- 
ising to grant it, whatever it might be. Astolpho 
asked an army to go to the assistance of Charlemagne, 
and the king not only granted him a hundred thou- 
sand men, but offered to lead them himself. 

The night before the day appointed for the depart- 
ure of the troops Astolpho mounted his winged horse, 
and directed his flight towards a mountain, whence the 
fierce South-wind issues^ whose blast raises the sands 



THE WAR IN AFRICA. 1 53 

of the Nubian desert, and whirls them onward in over- 
whelming clouds. The paladin, by the advice of St. 
John, had prepared hirnself with a leather bag, which 
he placed adroitly, with its mouth open, over the vent 
whence issues this terrible wind. At the first dawn 
of morning the wind rushed from its cavern to resume 
its daily course, and was caught in the bag, and se- 
curely tied up. Astolpho, delighted with his prize, 
returned to his army, placed himself at their head, and 
commenced his march. The Abyssinians traversed 
without danger or difficulty those vast fields of sand 
which separate their country fi-om the kingdoms of 
Northern Africa, for the terrible South-wind, taken 
completely captive, had not force enough left to blow 
out a candle. 

Senapus was distressed that he could not furnish any 
cavalry, for his country, rich in camels and elephants, 
was destitute of horses. This difficulty the saint had 
foreseen, and had taught Astolpho the means of reme- 
dying. He now put those means in operation. 
Having reached a place whence he beheld a vast plain 
and the sea, he chose from his troops those who ap- 
peared to be the best made and the most intelligent. 
These he caused to be arranged in squadrons at the 
foot of a lofty mountain which bordered the plain, and 
he himself mounted to the summit to carry into effect 
his great design. Here he found vast quantities of 
fragments of rock and pebbles. These he set rolling 
down the mountain's side, and, wonderful to relate, 
as they rolled they grew in size, made themselves 
bodies, legs, necks, and long faces. Next they began 
to neigh, to curvet, to scamper on all sides over the 
plain. Some were bay, some roan, some dapple, 
some chestnut. The troops at the foot of the moun- 



154 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

tain exerted themselves to catch these new-created 
horses, which they easily did, for the miracle had 
been so considerate as to provide all the horses with bri- 
dles and saddles. Astolpho thus suddenly found himself 
supplied with an excellent corps of cavalry, not fewer 
(as Archbishop Turpin asserts) than eighty thousand 
strong. With these troops Astolpho reduced all the 
country to subjection, and at last arrived before the 
walls of Agramant's capital city, Biserta, to which he 
laid siege. 

We must now return to the camp of the Christians, 
which lay before Aries, to which city the Saracens 
had retired after being defeated in a night attack led 
on by Rinaldo. Agramant here received the tidings 
of the invasion of his country by a fresh enemy, the 
Abyssinians, and learned that Biserta was in danger of 
falling into their hands. He took counsel of his offi- 
cers, and decided to send an embassy to Charles, pro- 
posing that the whole quarrel should be submitted to 
the combat of two warriors, one from each side, ac- 
cording to the issue of which it should be decided 
which party should pay tribute to the other, and the 
war should cease. Charlemagne, who had not heard 
of the favorable turn which affairs had taken in Africa, 
readily agreed to this proposal, and Rinaldo was se- 
lected on the part of the Christians to sustain the 
combat. 

The Saracens selected Rogero for their champion. 
Rogero was still in the Saracen camp, kept there by 
honor alone, for his mind had been opened to the 
truth of the Christian faith by the arguments of Brada- 
mante, and he had resolved to leave the party of the 
infidels on the first favorable opportunity, and to join 
the Christian side. But his honor forbade him to do 



THE WAR IN AFRICA. 1 55 

this while his former friends were in distress ; and thus 
he waited for what time might bring forth, when he 
was startled by the announcement that he had been 
selected to uphold the cause of the Saracens against 
the Christians, and that his foe was to be Rinaldo, the 
brother of Bradamante. 

While Rogero was overwhelmed with this intelli- 
gence Bradamante on her side felt the deepest dis- 
tress at hearing of the proposed combat. If Rogero 
should fall she felt that no other man living was 
worthy of her love ; and if, on the other hand. 
Heaven should resolve to punish France by the death 
of her chosen champion, Bradamante would have to 
deplore her brother, so dear to her, and be no less 
completely severed from the object of her affections. 

While the fair lady gave herself up to these sad 
thoughts, the sage enchantress, Melissa, suddenly 
appeared before her. *^ Fear not, my daughter," 
said she, '* I shall find a way to interrupt this combat 
which so distresses you." 

Meanwhile Rinaldo and Rogero prepared their 
weapons for the conflict. Rinaldo had the choice, 
and decided that it should be on foot, and with no 
weapons but the battle-axe and poniard. The place 
assigned was a plain between the camp of Charle- 
magne and the walls of Aries. 

Hardly had the dawn announced the day appointed 
for this memorable combat, when heralds proceeded 
from both sides to mark the lists. Erelong the Afri- 
can troops were seen to advance from the city, 
Agramant at their head ; his brilliant arms adorned 
in the Moorish fashion, his horse a bay, with a white 
star on his forehead. Rogero marched at his side, and 
some of the greatest warriors of the Saracen camp 



156 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

attended him, bearing the various parts of his armor 
and weapons. Charlemagne, on his part, proceeded 
from his intrenchments, ranged his troops in semi- 
circle, and stood surrounded by his peers and paladins. 
Some of them bore portions of the armor of Rinaldo, 
the celebrated Ogier, the Dane, bearing the helmet 
which Rinaldo took from Mambrino. Duke Namo 
or Bavaria and Salomon of Bretagne bore two axes, 
of equal weight, prepared for the occasion. 

The terms of the combat were then sworn to with 
the utmost solemnity by all parties. It was agreed 
that if from either part any attempt was made to in- 
terrupt the battle both combatants should turn their 
arms against the party which should be guilty of the 
interruption ; and both monarchs assented to the con- 
dition that in such case the champion of the offending 
party should be discharged from his allegiance, and 
at liberty to transfer his arms to the other side. 

When all the preparations were concluded the 
monarchs and their attendants retired each to his own 
side, and the champions were left alone. The two 
warriors advanced with measured steps towards each 
other, and met in the middle of the space. They 
attacked one another at the same moment, and the 
air resounded with the blows they gave. Sparks flew 
from their bat de -axes, while the velocity with which 
they managed their weapons astonished the beholders. 
Rogero, always remembering that his antagonist was 
the brother of his betrothed, could not aim a deadly 
wound ; he strove only to ward off those levelled 
against himself. Rinaldo, on the other hand, much 
as he esteemed Rogero, spared not his blows, for he 
eagerly desired victory for his own sake, and for the 
sake of his country and his faith. 



THE WAR IN AFRICA. 157 

The Saracens soon perceived that their champion 
fought feebly, and gave not to Rinaldo such blows as 
he received from him. His disadvantage was so 
marked that anxiety and shame were manifest on the 
countenance of Agramant. Melissa, one of the most 
acute enchantresses that ever lived, seized this moment . 
to disguise herself under the form of Rodomont, that 
rude and impetuous warrior, who had now for some 
time been absent from the Saracen camp. Approach- 
ing Agramant, she said, '^ How could you, my lord, 
have the imprudence of selecting a young man without 
experience to oppose the most redoubtable warrior of 
France ? Surely you must have been regardless of the 
honor of your arms, and of the fate of your empire ! 
But it is not too late. Break without delay the agree- 
ment which is sure to result in your ruin." So saying, 
she addressed the troops who stood near. ^^ Friends," 
said she, ^' follow me ; under my guidance every one 
of you will be a match for a score of those feeble 
Christians." Agramant, delighted at seeing Rodomont 
once more at his side, gave his consent, and the Sara- 
cens, at the instant, couched their lances, set spurs to 
their steeds, and swept down upon the French. 
MeHssa, when she saw her work successful, disap- 
peared. 

Rinaldo and Rogero, seeing the truce broken, and 
the two armies engaged in general conflict, stopped 
their battle ; their martial fury ceased at once, they 
joined hands, and resolved to act no more on either 
side until it should be clearly ascertained which party 
had failed to observe its oath. Both renewed their 
promise to abandon forever the party which had been 
thus false and perjured. 

Meanwhile, the Christians, after the first moment 



158 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

of surprise, met the Saracens with courage redoubled 
by rage at the treachery of their foes. Guido the 
Wild, brother and rival of Rinaldo, Griffon and Aqui- 
lant, sons of Oliver, and numerous others whose names 
have already been celebrated in our recitals, beat back 
the assailants, and at last, after prodigious slaughter, 
forced them to take shelter within the walls of Aries. 

We will now return to Orlando, whom we last 
heard of as furiously mad, and doing a thousand acts 
of violence in his senseless rage. One day he came to 
the borders of a stream which intercepted his course. 
He swam across it, for he could swim like an otter, 
and on the other side saw a peasant watering his horse. 
He seized the animal, in spite of the resistance of the 
peasant, and rode it with furious speed till he arrived 
at the sea-coast, where Spain is divided from Africa by 
only a narrow strait. At the moment of his arrival a 
vessel had just put off to cross the strait. She was full 
of people who, with glass in hand, seemed to be taking 
a merry farewell of the land, wafted by a favorable 
breeze. 

The frantic Orlando cried out to them to stop and 
take him in ; but they, having no desire to admit a 
madman to their company, paid him no attention. 
The paladin thought this behavior very uncivil ; and by 
force of blows made his horse carry him into the water 
in pursuit of the ship. The wretched animal soon had 
only his head above water ; but as Orlando urged him 
forward, nothing was left for the poor beast but either 
to die or swim over to Africa. 

Already Orlando had lost sight of the bark ; distance 
and the swell of the sea completely hid it from his sight. 
He continued to press his horse forward, till at last it 
could struggle no more, and sunk beneath him. Or- 



THE WAR IN AFRICA. 1 59 

lando, nowise concerned, stretched out his nervous 
arms, puffing the salt water from before his mouth, 
and carried his head above the waves. Fortunately 
they were not rough, scarce a breath of wind agitated 
the surface ; otherwise, the invincible Orlando would 
then have met his death. But fortune, which it is said 
favors fools, delivered him from this danger, and landed 
him safe on the shore of Ceuta. Here he rambled 
along the shore till he came to where the black army 
of Astolpho held its camp. 

Now it happened, just before this time, that a vessel 
filled with prisoners which Rodomont had taken at the 
bridge had arrived, and, not knowing of the presence 
of the Abyssinian army, had sailed right into port, 
where of course the prisoners and their captors changed 
places, the former being set at liberty and received with 
all joy, the latter sent to serve in the galleys. Astolpho 
thus found himself surrounded with Christian knights, 
and he and his friends were exchanging greetings and 
felicitations, when a noise was heard in the camp, and 
seemed to increase every moment. 

Astolpho and his friends seized their weapons, 
mounted their horses, and rode to the quarter whence 
the noise proceeded. Imagine their astonishment when 
they saw that the tumult was caused by a single man, 
perfectly naked, and browned with dirt and exposure, 
but of a force and fury so terrible that he overturned 
all that offered to lay hands on him. 

Astolpho, Dudon, Oliver, and Florismart gazed at 
him with amazement. It was with difficulty they 
knew him. Astolpho, who had been warned of his 
condition by his holy monitor, was the first to recog- 
nize him. As the paladins closed round Orlando, 
the madman dealt one and another a blow of his fist. 



l6o LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

which, if they had not been in armor, or he had had 
any weapon, would probably have despatched them; 
as it was, Dudon and Astolpho measured their length 
on the sand. But Florismart seized him from behind, 
Sansonnet and another grasped his legs, and at last 
they succeeded in securing him with ropes. They 
took him to the water-side and washed him well, and 
then Astolpho, having first bandaged his mouth so 
that he could not breathe except through his nose, 
brought the precious phial, uncorked it, and placed it 
adroitly under his nostrils, when the good Orlando 
took it all up in one breath. O marvellous prodigy ! 
The paladin recovered in an instant all his intelligence. 
He felt like one who had awakened from a painful 
dream, in which he had believed that monsters were 
about to tear him to pieces. He seemed prostrated, 
silent, and abashed. Florismart, Oliver, and Astol- 
pho stood gazing upon him, while he turned his eyes 
around and on himself. He seemed surprised to find 
himself naked^ bound, and stretched on the sea-shore. 
After a few moments he recognized his friends, and 
spoke to them in a tone so tender that they hastened 
to unbind him, and to supply him with garments. 
Then they exerted themselves to console him, to di- 
minish the weighty with which his spirits were op- 
pressed, and to make him forget the wretched condition 
into which he had been sunk. 

Orlando, in recovering his reason, found himself 
also delivered from his insane attachment to the queen 
of Cathay. His heart felt now no further influenced 
by the recollection of her than to be moved with an 
ardent desire to retrieve his fame by some distin- 
guished exploit. Astolpho would gladly have yielded 
to him the chief command of the army, but Orlando 



THE WAR IN AFRICA. l6l 

would not take from the friend to whom he owed so 
much the glory of the campaign ; but in everything 
the two paladins acted in concert, and united their 
counsels. They proposed to make a general assault 
on the city of Biserta, and were only waiting a favor- 
able moment, when their plan was interrupted by new 
events. 

Agramant, after the bloody battle which followed 
the infraction of the truce, found himself so weak that 
he saw it was in vain to attempt to remain in France. 
So, in concert with Sobrino, the bravest and most 
trusted of his chiefs, he embarked to return to his own 
country, having previously sent off his few remaining 
troops in the same direction. The vessel which carried 
Agramant and Sobrino approached the shore where 
the army of Astolpho lay encamped before Biserta, and 
having discovered this fact before it was too late, the 
king commanded the pilot to steer eastward, with a 
view to seek protection of the King of Egypt. But 
the weather becoming rough, he consented to the ad- 
vice of his companions, and sought harbor in an island 
which lies between Sicily and Africa. There he found 
Gradasso, the warlike king of Sericane, who had come 
to France to possess himself of the horse Bayard and 
the sword Durindana ; and having procured both these 
prizes was returning to his own country. 

The two kings, who had been companions in arms 
under the walls of Paris, embraced one another affec- 
tionately. Gradasso learned with regret the reverses 
of Agramant, and offered him his troops and his per- 
son. He strongly deprecated resorting to Egypt for 
aid. ** Remember the great Pompey," said he, 
^^ and shun that fatal shore. My plan," he contin- 
ued, 'Ms this : I mean to challenge Orlando to single 



1 62 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

combat. Possessed of such a sword and steed as mine, 
if he were made of steel or bronze, he could not es- 
cape me. He being removed, there will be no diffi- 
culty in driving back the Abyssinians. We will rouse 
against them the Moslem nations from the other side 
of the Nile, the Arabians, Persians, and Chaldeans, who 
will soon make Senapus recall his army to defend his 
own territories." 

Agramant approved this advice except in one par- 
ticular. ^^It is for me," said he, *^to combat Or- 
lando ; I cannot with honor devolve that duty on 
another." 

*^ Let us adopt a third course," said the aged war- 
rior Sobrino. ^^ I would not willingly remain a simple 
spectator of such a contest. Let us send three squires 
to the shore of Africa to challenge Orlando and any 
two of his companions in arms to meet us three in this 
island of Lampedusa." 

This counsel was adopted ; the three squires sped 
on their way ; and now presented themselves, and re- 
hearsed their message to the Christian knights. 

Orlando was dehghted, and rewarded the squires 
with rich gifts. He had already resolved to seek 
Gradasso and compel him to restore Durindana, which 
he had learned was in his possession. For his two 
companions the Count chose his faithful friend Floris- 
mart and his cousin Oliver. 

The three warriors embarked, and saihng with a 
favorable wind, the second morning showed them, on 
their right, the island where this important battle was 
to be fought. Orlando and his two companions, hav- 
ing landed, pitched their tent. Agramant had placed 
his opposite. 

Next morning, as soon as Aurora brightened the 



THE WAR IN AFRICA. 163 

edges of the horizon, the warriors of both parties 
armed themselves and mounted their horses. They 
took their positions, face to face, lowered their lances, 
placed them in rest, clapped spurs to their horses, and 
flew to the charge. Orlando met the charge of Gra- 
dasso. The paladin was unmoved, but his horse could 
not sustain the terrible shock of Bayard. He recoiled, 
staggered, and fell some paces behind. Orlando tried 
to raise him, but, finding his efforts unavailing, seized 
his shield, and drew his famous Bahsardo. Meanwhile 
Agramant and the brave Oliver gained no advantage, 
one or the other ; but Florismart unhorsed the King 
Sobrino. Having brought his foe to the ground, he 
would not pursue his victory, but hastened to attack 
Gradasso, who had overthrown Orlando. Seeing him 
thus engaged, Orlando would not interfere, but ran 
with sword upraised upon Sobrino, and with one blow 
deprived him of sense and motion. Believing him 
dead, he next turned to aid his beloved Florismart. 
That brave paladin, neither in horse nor arms equal 
to his antagonist, could but parry and evade the blows 
of the terrible Durindana. Orlando, eager to succor 
him, was delayed for a moment in securing and 
mounting the horse of the King Sobrino. It was but 
an instant, and with sword upraised, he rushed upon 
Gradasso ; who, noways disconcerted at the onset of 
this second foe, shouted his defiance, and thrust at 
him with his sword, but, having miscalculated the 
distance, scarcely reached him, and failed to pierce 
his mail. Orlando, in return, dealt him a blow with 
Balisardo, which wounded as it fell face, breast, and 
thigh, and, if he had been a litde nearer, would have 
cleft him in twain. Sobrino, by this time recovered 
from his swoon, though severely wounded, raised him- 



164 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

self on his legs, and looked to see how he might 
aid his friends. Observing Agramant hard pressed by 
OHver, he thrust his sword into the bowels of the 
latter' s horse, which fell, and bore down his master, 
entangling his leg as he fell, so that Oliver could not 
extricate himself. Florismart saw the danger of his 
friend, and ran upon Sobrino with his horse, over- 
threw him, and then turned to defend himself from 
Agramant. They were not unequally matched, for 
though Agramant, mounted on Brigliadoro, had an 
advantage over Florismart, whose horse was but in- 
different, yet Agramant had received a serious wound 
in his encounter with Oliver. 

Nothing could exceed the fury of the encounter 
between Orlando and Gradasso. Durindana, in the 
hands of Gradasso, clove asunder whatever it struck ; 
but such was the skill of Orlando, who perfectly knew 
the danger to which he was exposed from a stroke 
of that weapon, it had not yet struck him in such a 
way as to inflict a wound. Meanwhile, Gradasso was 
bleeding from many wounds, and his rage and in- 
caution increased every moment. In his desperation 
he lifted Durindana with both hands, and struck so 
terrible a blow full on the helmet of Orlando, that for 
a moment it stunned the paladin. He dropped the 
reins, and his frightened horse scoured with him over 
the plain. Gradasso turned to pursue him, but at 
that moment saw Florismart in the very act of striking 
a fatal blow at Agramant, whom he had unhorsed. 
While Florismart was wholly intent upon completing 
his victory, Gradasso plunged his sword into his side. 
Florismart fell from his horse, and bathed the plain 
with his blood. 

Orlando recovered himself just in time to see the 



THE WAR IN AFRICA. 165 

deed. Whether rage or grief predominated in his 
breast, I cannot tell ; but, seizing Balisardo with fury, 
his first blow fell upon Agramant, who was nearest 
to him, and smote his head from his shoulders. At 
this sight Gradasso for the first time felt his courage 
sink, and a dark presentiment of death come over him. 
He hardly stood on his defence when Orlando cast 
himself upon him, and gave him a fatal thrust. The 
sword penetrated his ribs, and came out a palm's 
breadth on the other side of his body. 

Thus fell beneath the sword of the most illustrious 
paladin of France the bravest warrior of the Saracen 
host. Orlando then, as if despising his victory, leaped 
lightly to the ground, and ran to his dear friend 
Florismart, embraced him, and bathed him with his 
tears. Florismart still breathed. He could even com- 
mand his voice to utter a few parting words : ^^ Dear 
friend, do not forget me, — give me your prayers, — 
and oh ! be a brother to Flordelis." He died in utter- 
ing her name. 

After a few moments given to grief Orlando turned 
to look for his other companion and his late foes. 
Oliver lay oppressed with the weight of his horse, 
from which he had in vain struggled to liberate him- 
self. Orlando extricated him with difiiculty ; he then 
raised Sobrino from the earth, and committed him to 
his squire, treating him as gently as if he had been his 
own brother. For this terrible warrior was the most 
generous of men to a fallen foe. He took Bayard and 
Brigliadoro, with the arms of the conquered knights; 
their bodies and their other spoils he remitted to their 
attendants. 

But who can tell the grief of Flordelis when she 
saw the warriors return, and found not Florismart as 



l66 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

usual after absence hasten to her side. She knew by 
the aspect of the others that her lord was slain. At 
the thought, and before the question could pass her 
lips, she fell senseless upon the ground. When life 
returned, and she learned the truth of her worst fears, 
she bitterly upbraided herself that she had let him 
depart without her. '^ I might have saved him by 
a single cry when his enemy dealt him that treacher- 
ous blow, or I might have thrown myself between 
and given my worthless life for his. Or if no more, 
I might have heard his last words, I might have given 
him a last kiss." So she lamented, and could not be 
comforted. 



ROGERO AND BRADAMANTE. 

After the interruption of the combat with Rinaldo, 
as we have related, Rogero was perplexed with doubts 
what course to take. The terms of the treaty required 
him to abandon Agramant, who had broken it, and to 
transfer his allegiance to Charlemagne ; and his love 
for Bradamante called him in the same direction ; but 
unwillingness to desert his prince and leader in the hour 
of distress forbade this course. Embarking, therefore, 
for Africa, he took his way to rejoin the Saracen army ; 
but was arrested midway by a storm which drove the 
vessel on a rock. The crew took to their boat, but 
that was quickly swamped in the waves, and Rogero 
with the rest were compelled to swim for their lives. 
Then while buffeting the waves Rogero bethought him 
of his sin in so long delaying his Christian profession, 
and vowed in his heart that, if he should Hve to reach 
the land, he would no longer delay to be baptized. 



ROGERO AND BRADAMANTE. 167 

His vows were heard and answered ; he succeeded in 
reaching the shore, and was aided and relieved on land- 
ing by a pious hermit, whose cell overlooked the sea. 
From him he received baptism, having first passed 
some days with him, partaking his humble fare, and 
receiving instruction in the doctrines of the Christian 
faith. 

While these things were going on, Rinaldo, who 
had set out on his way to seek Gradasso and recover 
Bayard from him, hearing on his way of the great 
things which were doing in Africa, repaired thither to 
bear his part in them. He arrived too late to do more 
than join his friends in lamenting the loss of Florismart, 
and to rejoice with them in their victory over the Pagan 
knights. On the death of their king the Africans 
gave up the contest, Biserta submitted, and the Chris- 
tian knights had only to dismiss their forces, and return 
home. Astolpho took leave of his Abyssinian army, 
and sent them back laden with spoil to their own coun- 
try, not forgetting to intrust to them the bag which 
held the winds, by means of which they were enabled 
to cross the sandy desert again without danger, and 
did not untie it till they reached their own country. 

Orlando now, with Oliver, who much needed the 
surgeon's care, and Sobrino, to whom equal attention 
was shown, sailed in a swift vessel to Sicily, bearing 
with him the body of Florismart, to be laid in Chris- 
tian earth. Rinaldo accompanied them, as did San- 
sonnet and the other Christian leaders. Arrived at 
Sicily, the funeral was solemnized with all the rites of 
religion, and with the profound grief of those who had 
known Florismart, or had heard of his fame. Then 
they resumed their course, steering for Marseilles. 
But Oliver's wound grew worse instead of better, and 



1 68 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

his sufferings so distressed his friends that they con- 
ferred together, not knowing what to do. Then said 
the pilot, ^^ We are not far from an isle where a holy 
hermit dwells alone in the midst of the sea. It is said 
none seek his counsel or his aid in vain. He hath 
wrought marvellous cures, and if you resort to that 
holy man without doubt he can heal the knight." 
Orlando bade him steer thither, and soon the bark was 
laid safely beside the lonely rock ; the wounded man 
was lowered into their boat, and carried by the crew 
to the hermit's cell. It was the same hermit with 
whom Rogero had taken refuge after his shipwreck, by 
whom he had been baptized, and with whom he was 
now staying, absorbed in sacred studies and medita- 
tions. 

The holy man received Orlando and the rest with 
kindness, and inquired their errand ; and being told 
that they had come for help for one who, warring for 
the Christian faith, was brought to perilous pass by a 
sad wound, he straightway undertook the cure. His 
applications were simple, but they were seconded by 
his prayers. The paladin was soon relieved from pain, 
and in a few days his foot was perfectly restored to 
soundness. Sobrino, as soon as he perceived the holy 
monk perform that wonder, cast aside his false prophet, 
and with contrite heart owned the true God, and de- 
manded baptism at his hands. The hermit granted 
his request, and also by his prayers restored him to 
health, while all the Christian knights rejoiced in his 
conversion almost as much as at the restoration of 
Ohver. More than all Rogero felt joy and gratitude, 
and daily grew in grace and faith. 

Rogero was known by fame to all the Christian 
knights, but not even Rinaldo knew him by sight. 



ROGERO AND BRADAMANTE. 169 

though he had proved his prowess in combat. So- 
brino made him known to them, and great was the joy 
of all when they found one whose valor and courtesy 
were renowned through the world no longer an enemy 
and unbeliever, but a convert and champion of the true 
faith. All press about the knight ; one grasps his 
hand, another locks him fast in his embrace ; but more 
than all the rest, Rinaldo cherished him, for he more 
than any knew his worth. 

It was not long before Rogero confided to his friend 
the hopes he entertained of a union with his sister, and 
Rinaldo frankly gave his sanction to the proposal. But 
causes unknown to the paladin were at that very time 
interposing obstacles to its success. 

The fame of the beauty and worth of Bradamante 
had reached the ears of the Grecian Emperor, Constan- 
tine, and he had sent to Charlemagne to demand the 
hand of his niece for Leo, his son, and the heir to his 
dominions. Duke Aymon, her father, had only re- 
served his consent until he should first have spoken 
with his son Rinaldo, now absent. 

The warriors now prepared to resume their voyage. 
Rogero took a tender farewell of the good hermit who 
had taught him the true faith. Orlando restored to 
him the horse and arms which were rightly his, not 
even asserting his claim to Balisarda, that sword which 
he himself had won from the enchantress. 

The hermit gave his blessing to the band, and they 
reembarked. The passage was speedy, and very soon 
they arrived in the harbor of Marseilles. 

Astolpho, when he had dismissed his troops, 
mounted the HippogriiF, and at one flight shot over to 
Sardinia, thence to Corsica, thence, turning slightly to 
the left, hovered over Provence, and alighted in the 



I70 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

neighborhood of Marseilles. There he did what he 
had been commanded to do by the holy saint ; he un- 
bridled the HippogriiF, and turned him loose to seek 
his own retreats, never more to be galled with saddle 
or bit. The horn had lost its marvellous power ever 
since the visit to the moon. 

Astolpho reached Marseilles the very day when 
Orlando, Rinaldo, Oliver, Sobrino, and Rogero arrived 
there. Charles had already heard the news of the 
defeat of the Saracen kings, and all the accompanying 
events. On learning the approach of the gallant 
knights, he sent forward some of his most illustrious 
nobles to receive them, and himself, with the rest of 
his court, kings, dukes, and peers, the queen, and a 
fair and gorgeous band of ladies, set forward from Aries 
to meet them. 

No sooner were the mutual greetings interchanged, 
than Orlando and his friends led forw^ard Rogero, and 
presented him to the Emperor. They vouch him son 
of Rogero, Duke of Risa, one of the most renowned 
of Christian warriors, by adverse fortune stolen in his 
infancy, and brought up by Saracens in the false faith, 
now by a kind Providence converted, and restored to 
fill the place his father once held among the foremost 
champions of the throne and Church. 

Rogero had alighted from his horse, and stood 
respectfully before the Emperor. Charlemagne bade 
him remount and ride beside him ; and omitted nothing 
which might do him honor in sight of his martial train. 
With pomp triumphal and with festive cheer the troop 
returned to the city ; the streets were decorated with 
garlands, the houses hung with rich tapestry, and 
flowers fell like rain upon the conqaering host from the 
hands of fair dames and damsels, from every balcony 



ROGERO AND BRADAMANTE. 171 

and window. So welcomed, the mighty Emperor 
passed on till he reached the royal palace, where many 
days he feasted, high in hall, with his lords, amid 
tourney, revel, dance, and song. 

When Rinaldo told his father, Duke Aymon, how 
he had promised his sister to Rogero, his father heard 
him with indignation^ having set his heart on seeing her 
united to the Grecian Emperor's son. The Lady 
Beatrice, her mother, also appealed to Bradamante 
herself to reject a knight who had neither title nor 
lands, and give the preference to one who would make 
her Empress of the wide Levant. But Bradamante, 
though respect forbade her to refuse her mother's en- 
treaty, would not promise to do what her heart repelled, 
and answered only with a sigh, until she was alone, 
and then gave a loose to tears. 

Meanwhile Rogero, indignant that a stranger should 
presume to rob him of his bride, determined to seek 
the Prince of Greece, and defy him to mortal coinbat. 
With this design he donned his armor, but exchanged 
his crest and emblazonment, and bore instead a white 
unicorn upon a crimson field. He chose a trusty 
squire, and, commanding him not to address him as 
Rogero, rode on his quest. Having crossed the Rhine 
and the Austrian countries into Hungary, he followed 
the course of the Danube till he reached Belgrade. 
There he saw the imperial ensigns spread, and white 
pavilions, thronged with troops, before the town. For 
the Emperor Constantine was laying siege to the city 
to recover it from the Bulgarians, who had taken it 
from him not long before. 

A river flowed between the camp of the Emperor 
and the Bulgarians, and at the moment when Rogero 
approached, a skirmish had begun between the parties 



172 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

from either camp, who had approached the stream for 
the purpose of watering. The Greeks in that affray- 
were four to one, and drove back the Bulgarians in 
precipitate rout. Rogero, seeing this, and animated 
only by his hatred of the Grecian prince, dashed into 
the middle of the flying mass, calling aloud on the 
fugitives to turn. He encountered first a leader of 
the Grecian host in splendid armor, a nephew of the 
Emperor, as dear to him as a son. Rogero's lance 
pierced shield and armor, and stretched the warrior 
breathless on the plain. Another and another fell 
before him, and astonishment and terror arrested the 
advance of the Greeks, while the Bulgarians, catch- 
ing courage from the cavalier, rally, change front, 
and chase the Grecian troops, who fly in their turn. 
Leo, the prince, was at a distance when this sudden 
skirmish rose, but not so far but that he could see 
distinctly, from an elevated position which he held, 
how the changed battle was all the work of one man, 
and could not choose but admire the bravery and 
prowess with which it was done. He knew by the 
blazonry displayed that the champion was not of 
the Bulgarian army, though he furnished aid to them. 
Although he suffered by his valor, the prince could 
not wish him ill, for his admiration surpassed his re- 
sentment. By this time the Greeks had regained the 
river, and crossing it by fording or swimming, some 
made their escape, leaving many more prisoners in 
the hands of the Bulgarians. Rogero, learning from 
some of the captives that Leo was at a point some 
distance down the river, rode thither with a view to 
meet him, but arrived not before the Greek prince 
had retired beyond the stream, and broken up the 
bridge. Day was spent, and Rogero, wearied, looked 



ROGERO AND BRADAMANTE. 173 

round for a shelter for the night. He found it in a 
cottage, where he soon yielded himself to repose. It 
so happened, a knight who had narrowly escaped 
Rogero's sword in the late battle also found shelter 
in the same cottage, and, recognizing the armor of 
the unknown knight, easily found means of securing 
him as he slept, and next morning carried him in 
chains and delivered him to the Emperor. By him 
he was in turn delivered to his sister Theodora, mother 
of the young knight, the first victim of Rogero's spear. 
By her he was cast into a dungeon, till her ingenuity 
could devise a death sufficiently painful to satiate her 
revenge. 

Bradamante, meanwhile, to escape her father's and 
mother's importunity, had begged a boon of Charle- 
magne, which the monarch pledged his royal word to 
grant ; it was that she should not be compelled to 
marry any one unless he should first vanquish her in 
single combat. The Emperor therefore proclaimed a 
tournament in these words : ^ ^ He that would wed 
Duke Aymon's daughter must contend with the sword 
against that dame, from the sun's rise to his setting ; 
and if, in that time, he is not overcome the lady shall 
be his." 

Duke z-lymon and the Lady Beatrice, though much 
incensed at the course things had taken, brought their 
daughter to court, to await the day appointed for the 
tournament. Bradamante, not finding there him whom 
her heart required, distressed herself with doubts what 
could be the cause of his absence. Of all fancies, the 
most painful one was that he had gone away to learn 
to forget her, knowing her father's and her mother's 
opposition to their union, and despairing to contend 
against them. But oh, how much worse would be the 



174 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

maiden's woe, if it were known to her what her be- 
trothed was then enduring ! 

He was plunged in a dungeon where no ray of day- 
light ever penetrated, loaded with chains, and scantily 
supplied with the coarsest food. No wonder despair 
took possession of his heart, and he longed for death as 
a rehef, when one night (or one day, for both were 
equally dark to him) he was roused with the glare of 
a torch and saw two men enter his cell. It was the 
Prince Leo, with an attendant, who had come as soon 
as he had learned the wretched fate of the brave knight 
whose valor he had seen and admired on the field of 
battle. '^ Cavalier," said he, ^^ I am one whom thy 
valor hath so bound to thee, that I willingly peril my 
own safety to lend thee aid." ^* Infinite thanks I owe 
you," replied Rogero, ^* and the life you give me I 
promise faithfully to render back upon your call, and 
promptly to stake it at all times for your service." 
The prince then told Rogero his name and rank, at 
hearing which a tide of contending emotions almost 
overwhelmed Rogero. He was set at liberty, and had 
his horse and arms restored to him. 

Meanwhile, tidings arrived of King Charles' decree 
that whoever aspired to the hand of Bradamante must 
first encounter her with sword and lance. This news 
made the Grecian prince turn pale, for he knew he 
was no match for her in fight. Communing with him- 
self^ he sees how he may make his wit supply the place 
of valor, and employ the French knight, whose name 
was still unknown to him, to fight the battle for him. 
Rogero heard the proposal with extreme distress ; yet 
it seemed worse than death to deny the first request 
of one to whom he owed his life. Hastily he gave 
his assent *' to do in all things that which Leo should 



ROGERO AND BRADAMANTE. 175 

command." Afterward, bitter repentance came over 
him ; yet, rather than confess his change of mind, 
death itself would be welcome. Death seems his only 
remedy ; but how to die ? Sometimes he thinks to 
make none but a feigned resistance, and allow her 
sword a ready access, for never can death come more 
happily than if her hand guide the weapon. Yet this 
will not avail, for, unless he wins the maid for the. 
Greek prince, his debt remains unpaid. He had prom- 
ised to maintain a real, not a feigned encounter. He 
will then keep his word, and banish every thought 
from his bosom except that which moved him to main- 
tain his truth. 

The young prince, richly attended, set out, and 
with him Rogero. They arrived at Paris, but Leo 
preferred not to enter the city, and pitched his tents 
without the walls, making known his arrival to 
Charlemagne by an embassy. The monarch was 
pleased, and testified his courtesy by visits and gifts. 
The prince set forth the purpose of his coming, and 
prayed the Emperor to dispatch his suit — ^^ to send 
forth the damsel who refused ever to take in wedlock 
any lord inferior to herself in fight ; for she should be 
his bride, or he would perish beneath her sword." 

Rogero passed the night before the day assigned 
for the battle like that which the felon spends, con- 
demned to pay the forfeit of his life on the ensuing 
day. He chose to fight with sword only, and on foot, 
for he would not let her see Frontino, knowing that 
she would recognize the steed. Nor would he use 
Balisarda, for against that enchanted blade all armor 
would be of no avail, and the sword that he did take 
he hammered well upon the edge to abate its sharp- 
ness. He wore the surcoat of Prince Leo, and his 



176 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

shield, emblazoned with a golden, double-headed eagle. 
The prince took care to let himself be seen by none. 

Bradamante, meanwhile, prepared herself for the 
combat far differently. Instead of blunting the edge 
of her falchion she whets the steel, and would fain 
infuse into it her own acerbity. As the moment ap- 
proached she seemed to have fire within her veins, 
and waited impatiently for the trumpet's sound. At 
the signal she drew her sword, and fell with fury 
upon her Rogero. But as a well-built wall or aged 
rock stands unmoved the fury of the storm, so Rogero, 
clad in those arms which Trojan Hector once wore, 
withstood the strokes which stormed about his head 
and breast and flank. Sparks flew from his shield, 
his helm, his cuirass ; from direct and back strokes, 
aimed now high, now low, falling thick and fast, like 
hailstones on a cottage roof; but Rogero, with skilful 
ward, turns them aside, or receives them where his 
armor is a sure protection, careful only to protect him- 
self, and with no thought of striking in return. Thus 
the hours passed away, and, as the sun approached the 
west, the damsel began to despair. But so much the 
more her anger increases, and she redoubles her ef- 
forts, like the craftsman who sees his work unfinished 
while the day is wellnigh spent. O miserable dam- 
sel ! didst thou know whom thou wouldst kill, — if, 
in that cavalier matched against thee thou didst but 
know Rogero, on whom thy very life-threads hang, 
rather than kill him thou wouldst kill thyself, for he 
is dearer to thee than life. 

King Charles and the peers, who thought the cava- 
lier to be the Grecian prince, viewing such force and 
skill exhibited, and how without assaulting her the 
knight defended himself, were filled with admiration. 



ROGERO AND BRADAMANTE. 177 

and declared the champions well matched, and worthy 
of each other. 

When the sun was set Charlemagne gave the sig- 
nal for terminating the contest, and Bradamante was 
awarded to Prince Leo as a bride. Rogero, in deep 
distress, returned to his tent. There Leo unlaced his 
helmet, and kissed him on both cheeks. ^^ Hence- 
forth," said he, '^ do with me as you please, for you 
cannot exhaust my gratitude." Rogero replied little, 
laid aside the ensigns he had worn, and resumed the 
unicorn, then hasted to withdraw himself from all 
eyes. When it was midnight he rose, saddled Fron- 
tino, and sallied from his tent, taking that direction 
which pleased his steed. All night he rode absorbed 
in bitter woe, and called on Death as alone capable 
of relieving his suiFerings. At last he entered a 
forest, and penetrated into its deepest recesses. There 
he unharnessed Frontino, and suffered him to wander 
where he would. Then he threw himself down on 
the ground, and poured forth such bitter wailings that 
the birds and beasts, for none else heard him, were 
moved to pity with his cries. 

Not less was the distress of the lady Bradamante, 
who, rather than wed any one but Rogero, resolved 
to break her word, and defy kindred, court, and 
Charlemagne himself; and, if nothing else would do, 
to die. But relief came from an unexpected quarter. 
Marphisa, sister of Rogero, was a heroine of warlike 
prowess equal to Bradamante. She liad been the 
confidante of their loves, and felt hardly less distress 
than themselves at seeing the perils which threatened 
their union. *'They are already united by mutual 
vows," she said, *^and in the sight of Heaven what 
more is necessary ? " Full of this thought she pre- 



178 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE 

sented herself before Charlemagne, and declared that 
she herself was witness that the maiden had spoken to 
Rogero those words which they who marry swear ; 
and that the compact was so sealed between the pair 
that they were no longer free, nor could forsake the 
one the other to take another spouse. This her 
assertion she offered to prove, in single combat, against 
Prince Leo, or any one else. 

Charlemagne, sadly perplexed at this, commanded 
Bradamante to be called, and told her what the bold 
Marphisa had declared. Bradamante neither denied 
nor confirmed the statement, but hung her head, and 
kept silence. Duke Aymon w^as enraged, and would 
fain have set aside the pretended contract on the 
ground that, if made at all, it must have been made 
before Rogero was baptized, and therefore void. But 
not so thought Rinaldo, nor the good Orlando, and 
Charlemagne knew not which way to decide, when 
Marphisa spoke thus : 

'' Since no one else can marry the maiden while 
my brother lives, let the prince meet Rogero in mor- 
tal combat, and let him who survives take her for 
his bride." 

This saying pleased the Emperor, and w^as accepted 
by the prince, for he thought that, by the aid of his 
unknown champion, he should surely triumph in the 
fight. Proclamation was therefore made for Rogero 
to appear and defend his suit ; and Leo, on his part, 
caused search to be made on all sides for the knight 
of the Unicorn. 

Meanwhile Rogero, overwhelmed with despair, lay 
stretched on the ground in the forest night and day 
without food, courting death. Here he was discovered 
by one of Leo's people, who, finding him resist all 



ROGERO AND BRADAMANTE. 179 

attempts to remove him, hastened to his master, who 
was not far off, and brought him to the spot. As he 
approached he heard words which convinced him that 
love was the cause of the knight's despair ; but no 
clew was given to guide him to the object of that love. 
Stooping down, the prince embraced the weeping war- 
rior, and, in the tenderest accents, said : ^^ Spare not, 
I entreat you, to disclose the cause of your distress, 
for few such desperate evils betide mankind as are 
wholly past cure. It grieves me much that you 
would hide your grief from me, for I am bound to you 
by ties that nothing can undo. Tell me, then, your 
grief, and leave me to try if wealth, art, cunning, 
force, or persuasion cannot reheve you. If not, it will 
be time enough after all has been tried in vain to 
die." 

He spoke in such moving accents that Rogero 
could not choose but yield. It was some time before 
he could command utterance ; at last he said, '^ My 
lord, when you shall know me for what I am, I doubt 
not you, like myself, will be content that I should die. 
Know, then, I am that Rogero whom you have so 
much cause to hate, and who so hated you that, in- 
tent on putting you to death, he went to seek you at 
yoar father's court. This I did because I could not 
submit to see my promised bride borne oiF by you. 
But, as man proposes and God disposes, your great 
courtesy, well tried in time of sore need, so moved 
my fixed resolve, that I not only laid aside the hate I 
bore, but purposed to be your friend forever. You 
then asked of me to win for you' the lady Bradamante, 
which was all one as to demand of me my heart and 
soul. You know whether I served you faithfully or 
not. Yours is the lady ; possess her in peace ; but 



l8o LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

ask mc not to live to see it. Be content rather that I 
die ; for vows have passed betw^een myself and her 
which forbid that while I Hve she can lawfully wive 
with another." 

So filled was gentle Leo with astonishment at these 
words that for a while he stood silent, with lips un- 
moved and steadfast gaze, like a statue. And the dis- 
covery that the stranger was Rogero not only abated 
not the good will he bore him, but increased it, so 
that his distress for what Rogero suffered seemed equal 
to his own. For this, and because he would appear 
deservedly an Emperor's son, and, though in other 
things outdone, would not be surpassed in courtesy, 
he says : ^^ Rogero, had I known that day when your 
matchless valor routed my troops that you were 
Rogero, your virtue would have made me your own, 
as then it made me while I knew^ not my foe, and I 
should have no less gladly rescued you from Theodora's 
dungeon. And if I would willingly have done so 
then, how much more gladly will I now restore the 
gift of which you would rob yourself to confer it upon 
me. The damsel is more due to you than to me, and 
though I know her worth, T would forego not only 
her, but life itself, rather than distress a knight like 
you." 

This and much more he said to the same intent ; 
till at last Rogero replied, ^^ I yield, and am content to 
live, and thus a second time owe my life to you." 

But several days elapsed before Rogero was so far 
restored as to return to the royal residence, where an 
embassy had arrived from the Bulgarian princes to seek 
the knight of the unicorn, and tender to him the 
crown of that country, in place of their king, fallen in 
batdco 



ROGERO AND BRADAMANTE. i8i 

Thus were things situated when Prince Leo, leading 
by the hand Rogero, clad in the battered armor in 
which he had sustained the conflict with Bradamante, 
presented himself before the king. '^Behold," he said, 
'^ the champion who maintained from dawn to setting 
sun the arduous contest ; he comes to claim the guer- 
don of the fight." King Charlemagne, with all his 
peerage, stood amazed ; for all believed that the Gre- 
cian prince himself had fought with Bradamante. 
Then stepped forth Marphisa, and said, ^^ Since Rogero 
is not here to assert his rights, I, his sister, undertake 
his cause, and will maintain it against whoever shall 
dare dispute his claim." She said this with so much 
anger and disdain that the prince deemed it no longer 
wise to feign, and withdrew Rogero 's helmet from his 
brow, saying, '^Behold him here !" Who can de- 
scribe the astonishment and joy of Marphisa I She 
ran and threw her arms about her brother's neck, nor 
would give way to let Charlemagne and Rinaldo, 
Orlando, Dudon, and the rest, who crowded round, 
embrace him, and press friendly kisses on his brow. 
The joyful tidings flew fast by many a messenger to 
Bradamante, who in her secret chamber lay lamenting. 
The blood that stagnated about her heart flowed at 
that notice so fast, that she had wellnigh died for joy. 
Duke Aymon and the Lady Beatrice no longer with- 
held their consent, and pledged their daughter to the 
brave Rogero before all that gallant company. 

Now came the Bulgarian ambassadors, and, kneeling 
at the feet of Rogero, besought him to return with 
them to their country, where, in Adrianople, the 
crown and sceptre were awaiting his acceptance. Prince 
Leo united his persuasions to theirs, and promised, in 
his royal father's name, that peace should be restored 



I 8.2 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

on their part. Rogero gave his consent, and it was 
surmised that none of the virtues which shone so con- 
spicuously in him so availed to recommend Rogero to 
the Lady Beatrice as the hearing her future son-in- 
law saluted as a sovereign prince. 



THE BATTLE OF RONCESVALLES. 

After the expulsion of the Saracens from France 
Charlemagne led his army into Spain, to punish Mar- 
silius, the king of that country, for having sided with 
the African Saracens in the late war. Charlemagne 
succeeded in all his attempts, and compelled MarsiHus 
to submit, and pay tribute to France. Our readers 
will rtoember Gano, otherwise called Gan, or Gane- 
lon, whom we mentioned in one of our early chapters 
as an old courtier of Charlemagne, and a deadly enemy 
of Orlando, Rinaldo, and all their friends. He had 
great influence over Charles, from equality of age and 
long intimacy ; and he was not without good qualities : 
he was brave and sagacious, but envious, false, and 
treacherous. Gan prevailed on Charles to send him 
as ambassador to MarsiHus, to arrange the tribute. 
He embraced Orlando over and over again at taking 
leave, using such pains to seem loving and sincere, that 
his hypocrisy was manifest to every one but the old 
monarch. He fastened with equal tenderness on 
Oliver, who smiled contemptuously in his face, and 
thought to himself, '^ You may make as many fair 
speeches as you choose, but you lie." All the other 
paladins who were present thought the same, and they 
said as much to the Emperor, adding that Gan should 



THE BATTLE OF RONCESVALLES. 183 

on no account be sent ambassador to the Spaniards. 
But Charles was infatuated. 

Gan was received with great honor by Marsihus. 
The king, attended by his lords, came fifteen miles 
out of Saragossa to meet him, and then conducted 
him into the city with acclamations. There was 
nothing for several days but balls, games, and exhibi- 
tions of chivalry, the ladies throwing flowers on the 
heads of the French knights, and the people shouting, 
*^ France ! Mountjoy and St. Denis ! " 

After the ceremonies of the first reception the king 
and the ambassador began to understand one another. 
One day they sat together in a garden on the border 
of a fountain. The water w^as so clear and smooth it 
reflected every object around, and the spot was en- 
circled with fruit-trees which quivered with the fresh 
air. As they sat and talked, as if without restraint, 
Gan, without looking the king in the face, was enabled 
to see the expression of his countenance in the water, 
and governed his speech accordingly. Marsilius was 
equally adroit, and watched the face of Gan while he 
addressed him. Marsilius began by lamenting, not as 
to the ambassador, but as to the friend, the injuries 
which Charles had done him by invading his domin- 
ions, charging him with wishing to take his kingdom 
from him and give it to Orlando ; till at length he 
plainly uttered his beHef that if that ambitious paladin 
were but dead good men would get their rights. 

Gan heaved a sigh, as if he was unwillingly com- 
pelled to allow the force of what the king said ; but 
unable to contain himself long he lifted up his face, 
radiant with triumphant wickedness, and exclaimed ; 
^^ Every word you utter is truth ; die he must, and die 
also must Oliver, who struck me that foul blow at 



184 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

court. Is it treachery to punish affronts like these ? 
I have planned everything, — I have settled everything 
already v^ith their besotted master. Orlando will come 
to your borders — to Roncesvalles — for the purpose 
of receiving the tribute. Charles will await him at the 
foot of the mountains. Orlando will bring but a small 
band with him : you, when you meet him, will have 
secretly your whole army at your back. You surround 
him, and who receives tribute then ? " 

The new Judas had scarcely uttered these words 
when his exultation was interrupted by a change in the 
face of nature. The sky was suddenly overcast, there 
was thunder and lightning, a laurel was split in two 
from head to foot, and the Carob-tree under which 
Gan was sitting, which is said to be the species of tree 
on which Judas Tscariot hung himself, dropped one of 
its pods on his head. 

Marsilius, as well as Gan, was appalled at this 
omen ; but on assembling his soothsayers they came to 
the conclusion that the laurel-tree turned the omen 
against . the Emperor, the successor of the Caesars, 
though one of them renewed the consternation of Gan 
by saying that he did not understand the meaning of 
the tree of Judas, and intimating that perhaps the 
ambassador could explain it. Gan relieved his vexa- 
tion by anger ; the habit of wickedness prevailed over 
all other considerations ; and the king prepared to 
march to Roncesvalles at the head of all his forces. 

Gan wrote to Charlemagne to say how humbly and 
submissively Marsilius was coming to pay the tribute 
into the hands of Orlando, and how handsome it 
would be of the Emperor to meet him half-way, and 
so be ready to receive him after the payment at his 
camp. He added a brilliant account of the tribute. 



THE BATTLE OF RONCESVALLES. 185 

and the accompanying presents. The good Emperor 
wrote in turn to say how pleased he was with the 
ambassador's diligence, and that matters were arranged 
precisely as he washed. His court, however, had 
its suspicion still, though they little thought Gan's 
object in bringing Charles into the neighborhood of 
Roncesvalles was to deliver him into the hands of 
Marsilius, after Orlando should have been destroyed 
by him. 

Orlando, however, did as his lord and sovereign 
desired. He went to Roncesvalles, accompanied by a 
moderate train of warriors, not dreaming of the atrocity 
that awaited him. Gan, meanwhile, had hastened 
back to France, in order to show himself free and easy 
in the presence of Charles, and secure the success of 
his plot ; while Marsilius, to make assurance doubly 
sure, brought into the passes of Roncesvalles no less 
than three armies, which were successively to fall on 
the paladin in case of the worst, and so extinguish him 
with numbers. He had also, by Gan's advice, brought 
heaps of wine and good cheer to be set before his 
victims in the first instance; ^^ for that," said the 
traitor, **will render the onset the more effective, the 
feasters being unarmed. One thing, however, I must 
not forget," added he; ^^my son Baldwin is sure to 
be with Orlando ; you must take care of his life for my 
sake." 

'^ I give him this vesture oifmy own body," said the 
king ; **let him wear it in the battle, and have no 
fear. My soldiers shall be directed not to touch him." 

Gan went away rejoicing to France. He embraced 
the sovereign and the court all round with the air of a 
man who had brought them nothing but blessings, and 
the old king wept for very tenderness and delight. 



1 86 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

^^ Something is going on wrong, and looks very 
black," thought Malagigi, the good wizard ; ^^ Rinaldo 
is not here, and it is indispensably necessary that he 
should be. I must find oat where he is, and Ricci- 
ardetto too, and send for them with all speed." 

Malagigi called up by his art a wise, terrible, and 
cruel spirit, named Ashtaroth. ^^Tell me, and tell 
me truly, of Rinaldo," said Malagigi to the spirit. 
The demon looked hard at the paladin, and said noth- 
ing. His aspect was clouded and violent. 

The enchanter, with an aspect still cloudier, bade 
Ashtaroth lay down that look, and ' made signs as if 
he would resort to angrier compulsion ; and the devil, , 
alarmed, loosened his tongue, and said, ^^ You have 
not told me what you desire to know of Rinaldo." 

*^I desire to know what he has been doing, and 
where he is." 

^^He has been conquering and baptizing the world, 
east and west," said the demon, ^' and is now in 
Egypt with Ricciardetto." 

'^ And what has Gan been plotting with Mar- 
silius ? " inquired Malagigi ; ^^ and what is to come 
ofit?" 

^'1 know not," said the devil. ^^ I was not at- 
tending to Gan at the time, and we fallen spirits know 
not the future. All I discern is that by the signs and 
comets in the heavens something dreadful is about to 
happen — something very strange, treacherous, and 
bloody ; and that Gan has a seat ready prepared for 
him in hell." 

^* Within three days," cried the enchanter, loudly, 
'* bring Rinaldo and Ricciardetto into the pass of 
Roncesvalles. Do it, and I hereby undertake to 
summon thee no more." 



THE BATTLE OF RONCESVALLES. 1 87 

^^ Suppose they will not trust themselves with me ? " 
said the spirit. 

*' Enter Rinaldo's horse, and bring him, whether he 
trust thee or not." 

*'It shall be done," returned the demon. 

There was an earthquake, and Ashtaroth disap- 
peared. 

Marsilius now made his first movement towards the 
destruction of Orlando, by sending before him his 
vassal. King Blanchardin, with his presents of wines 
and other luxuries. The temperate but courteous hero 
took them in good part, and distributed them as the 
traitor wished ; and then Blanchardin, on pretence of 
going forward to salute Charlemagne, returned, and 
put himself at the head of the second army, which 
was the post assigned him by his liege-lord. King 
Falseron, whose son Orlando had slain in battle, 
headed the first army, and King Balugante the third. 
Marsilius made a speech to them, in which he let them 
into his design, and concluded by recommending to 
their good will the son of his friend Gan, whom they 
would know by the vest he had sent him, and who 
was the only soul amongst the Christian they were to 
spare. 

This son of Gan, meanwhile, and several of the 
paladins, who distrusted the misbehevers, and were 
anxious at all events to be with Orlando, had joined 
the hero in the fatal valley ; so that the Htde Christian 
host, considering the tremendous valor of their lord and 
his friends, were not to be sold for nothing. Rinaldo, 
alas ! the second thunderbolt of Christendom, was 
destined not to be there in time to meet the issue. 
The paladins in vain begged Orlando to be on hig 



I 88 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

guard against treachery, and send for a more numerous 
body of men. The great heart of the Champion of 
the Faith was unwilling to harbor suspicion as long as 
he could help it. He refused to summon aid which 
might be superfluous ; neither would he do anything 
but what his liege-lord had directed. And yet he 
could not wholly repress a misgiving. A shadow had 
fallen on his heart, great and cheerful as it was. The 
anticipations of his friends disturbed him, in spite of 
the face with which he met them. Perhaps by a 
certain foresight he felt his death approaching ; but he 
felt bound not to encourage the impression. Besides, 
time pressed ; the moment of the looked-for tribute was 
at hand, and little combinations of circumstances 
determine often the greatest events. 

King Marsilius was to arrive early next day with the 
tribute, and OHver, with the morning sun, rode forth 
to reconnoitre, and see if he could discover the peace- 
ful pomp of the Spanish court in the distance. He 
rode up the nearest height, and from the top of it be- 
held the first army of Marsilius already forming in the 
passes. ^^ O devil Gan," he exclaimed, ''this then 
is the consummation of thy labors ! ' ' Oliver put 
spurs to his horse, and galloped back down the moun- 
tain to Orlando. 

'' Well," cried the hero, '' what news ? " 

''Bad news," said his cousin, " such as you would 
not hear of yesterday. Marsilius is here in arms, and 
all the world is with him." 

The paladins pressed round Orlando, and entreated 
him to sound his horn, in token that he needed help. 
His only answer was to mount his horse, and ride up 
the mountain with Sansonetto. 

As soon, however, as he cast forth his eyes, and 



THE BATTLE OF RONCESVALLES. 189 

beheld what was round about him, he turned in sor- 
row, and looked down into Roncesvalles, and said, 
^* O miserable valley ! the blood shed in thee this day 
will color thy name forever." 

Orlando's little camp were furious against the Sara- 
cens. They armed themselves with the greatest im- 
patience. There w^as nothing but lacing of helmets 
and mounting of horses, while good Archbishop Tur- 
pin went from rank to rank exhorting and encouraging 
the warriors of Christ. Orlando and his captains 
withdrew for a moment to consultation. He fairly 
groaned for sorrow, and at first had not a word to say, 
so wretched he felt at having brought his people to die 
in Roncesvalles. Then he said : ^^ If it had entered 
into my heart to conceive the king of Spain to be such 
a villain never would you have seen this day. He 
has exchanged with me a thousand courtesies and good 
w^ords ; and I thought that the w^orse enemies we 
had been before the better friends we had become 
now. I fancied every human being capable of this 
kind of virtue on a good opportunity, saving, indeed, 
such base-hearted wretches as can never forgive their 
very forgivers ; and of these I did not suppose him to 
be one. Let us die, if die we m.ust, like honest and 
gallant men, so that it shall be said of us it was only 
our bodies that died. The reason w^hy I did not 
sound the horn was partly because I thought it did not 
become us, and partly because our liege lord could 
hardly save us, even if he heard it." And with these 
w^ords Orlando sprang to his horse, crying, ^^ Away, 
against the Saracens ! ^' But he had no sooner turned 
his face than he wept bitterly, and said, ^^ O Holy 
Virgin, think not of me, the sinner Orlando, but have 
pity on these thy serv^ants ! ^' 



190 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

And now with a mighty dust, and an infinite sound 
of horns and tambours, which came filling the valley, 
the first army of the infidels made its appearance, 
horses neighing, and a thousand pennons flying in the 
air. King Falseron led them on, saying to his of- 
ficers : ^' Let nobody dare to lay a finger on Orlando. 
He belongs to myself. The revenge of my son's 
death is mine. I will cut the man down that comes 
between us." 

'^ Now, friends," said Orlando, '* every man for 
himself, and St. Michael for us all ! There is not one 
here that is not a perfect knight." And he might well 
say it, for the flower of all France was there, except 
Rinaldo and Ricciardetto — every man a picked man, 
all friends and constant companions of Orlando. 

So the captains of the little troop and of the great 
army sat looking at one another, and singling one an- 
other out as the latter came on, and then the knights 
put spear in rest, and ran for a while two and two in 
succession, one against the other. 

Astolpho was the first to move. He ran 'against 
Arlotto of Soria, and thrust his antagonist's body out 
of the saddle, and his soul into the other world. Oh- 
ver encountered Malprimo, and, though he received a 
thrust which hurt him, sent his lance right through the 
heart of Malprimo. 

Falseron was daunted at this blow. ^^ Truly," 
thought he, '^this is a marvel." Ohver did not press 
on among the Saracens, his wound was too painful ; 
but Orlando now put himself and his whole band in 
motion, and you may guess what an uproar ensued. 
The sound of the ratthng of blows and helmets was as 
if the forge of Vulcan had been thrown open. Fal- 
seron beheld Orlando coming so furiously, that he 



THE BATTLE OF RONCESVALLES. 191 

thought him a Lucifer who had burst his chain, and 
was quite of another mind than when he purposed to 
have him all to himself. On the contrary, he recom- 
mended himself to his gods, and turned away, meaning 
to wait for a more auspicious season of revenge. But 
Orlando hailed him with a terrible voice, saying, '^ O 
thou traitor ! was this the end to which old quarrels 
were made up ? " Then he dashed at Falseron with a 
fury so swift, and at the same time with a mastery of his 
lance so marvellous, that, though he plunged it in the 
man's body so as instantly to kill him, and then with- 
drew it, the body did not move in the saddle. The 
hero himself, as he rushed onwards, was fain to see 
the end of a stroke so perfect, and turning his horse 
back, touched the carcass with his sword, and it fell 
on the instant ! 

When the infidels beheld their leader dead such 
fear fell upon them that they were for leaving the field 
to the paladins, but they were unable. Marsilius had 
drawn the rest of his forces round the valley like a 
net, so that their shoulders were turned in vain. 
Orlando rode into the thick of them, and wherever 
he went thunderbolts fell upon helmets. Oliver was 
again in the fray, with Walter and Baldwin, Avino 
and Avolio, while Archbishop Turpin had changed his 
crosier for a lance, and chased a new flock before him 
to the mountains. 

Yet what could be done against foes without num- 
ber ? Marsilius constantly pours them in. The pala- 
dins are as units to thousands. Why tarry the horses 
of Rinaldo and Ricciardetto ? 

The horses did not tarry, but fate had been quicker 
than enchantment. Ashtaroth had presented himself 
to Rinaldo in Egypt, and, after telling his errand, he 



192 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

and Foul-mouth, his servant, entered the horses of 
Rinaldo and Ricciardetto, which began to neigh, and 
snort, and leap with the fiends within them, till oiF 
they flew through the air over the pyramids and across 
the desert, and reached Spain and the scene of action 
just as Marsihus brought up his third army. The 
two paladins on their horses dropped right into the 
midst of the Saracens, and began making such havoc 
among them that Marsilius, who overlooked the fight 
from a mountain, thought his soldiers had turned 
against one another. Orlando beheld it, and guessed 
it could be no other but his cousins, and pressed to 
meet them. Oliver coming up at the same moment, 
the rapture of the whole party is not to be expressed. 
After a few hasty words of explanation they were 
forced to turn again upon the enemy, whose numbers 
seemed perfectly without limit. 

Orlando, making a bloody passage towards Mar- 
silius, struck a youth on the head, whose helmet was 
so strong as to resist the blow, but at the same time 
flew oif. Orlando prepared to strike a second blow% 
when the youth exclaimed, ^* Hold ! you loved my 
father ; I am Bujaforte ! ' ' The paladin had never 
seen Bujaforte, but he saw the likeness to the good old 
man, his father, and he dropped his sword. ** O 
Bujaforte,'^ said he, ^^I loved him indeed; but 
what does his son do here fighting against his 
friends?'' 

Bujaforte could not at once speak for weeping. 
As length he said : ^^ I am forced to be here by my 
lord and master, Marsilius ; and I have made a show 
of fighting, but have not hurt a single Christian. 
Treachery is on every side of you. Baldwin himself 
has a vest given him by Marsilius, that everybody 



THE BATTLE OF RONCESVALLES. 193 

may know the son of his friend Gan, and do him no 
harm.'' 

^^ Put your helmet on again," said Orlando, ''and 
behave just as you have done. Never will your 
father's friend be an enemy to the son." 

The hero then turned in fury to look for Baldwin, 
who was hastening towards him at that moment, with 
friendliness in his looks. 

'' 'T is strange," said Baldwin, ''I have done my 
duty as well as I could, yet nobody will come against 
me. I have slain right and left, and cannot compre- 
hend what it is that makes the stoutest infidels avoid 
me." 

''Take off your vest," said Orlando, contemptu- 
ously, "and you will soon discover the secret, if you 
wish to know it. Your father has sold us to Marsilius, 
all but his honorable son." 

"If my father," said Baldwin, impetuously tearing 
off the vest, " has been such a villain, and I escape 
dying, I will plunge this sword through his heart. 
But I am no traitor, Orlando, and you do me wrong 
to say it. Think not I can hve with dishonor." 

Baldwin spurred oiF into the flight, not waiting to 
hear another word from Orlando, who was very sorry 
for what he had said, for he perceived that the youth 
was in despair. 

And now the fight raged beyond all it had done 
before ; twenty pagans went down for one paladin, 
but still the paladins fell. Sansonetto was beaten to 
earth by the club of Grandonio, Walter d'Amulion 
had his shoulder broken, Berlinghieri and Ottone were 
slain, and at last Astolpho fell, in revenge of whose 
death Orlando turned the spot where he died into a 
lake of Saracen blood. The luckless Bujaforte met 



194 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

Rinaldo, and before he could explain how he seemed 
to be fighting on the Saracen side received such a 
blow upon the head that he fell, unable to utter a 
word. Orlando, cutting his way to a spot where 
there was a great struggle and uproar, found the poor 
youth Baldwin, the son of Gan, with tv/o spears in 
his breast. ^^ I am no traitor now," said Baldwin, 
and those were the last words he said. Orlando was 
bitterly sorry to have been the cause of his death, and 
tears streamed from his eyes. At length down went 
Oliver himself. He had become blinded with his 
own blood, and smitten Orlando without knowing 
him. ^' How now, cousin," cried Orlando, ^'have 
you too gone over to the enemy ? " *^ O my lord 
and master," cried the other, '^I ask your pardon. 
I can see nothing ; I am dying. Some traitor has 
stabbed me in the back. If you love me, lead my 
horse into the thick of them, so that I may not die 
unavenged." 

^' I shall die myself before long," said Orlando, 
^*out of very toil and grief; so we will go together." 

Orlando led his cousin's horse where the press was 
thickest, and dreadful was the strength of the dying 
man and his tired companion. They made a street 
through which they passed out of the batde, and 
Orlando led his cousin away to his tent, and said, 
*' Wait a little till I return, for I will go and sound 
the horn on the hill yonder." 

'' 'Tis of no use," said Oliver, *^my spirit is fast 
going and desires to be with its Lord and Saviour." 

He would have said more, but his words came from 
him imperfectly, like those of a man in a dream, and 
so he expired. 

When Orlando saw him dead he felt as if he was 



THE BATTLE OF RONCESVALLES. 195 

alone on the earth, and he was quite willing to leave 
it, only he wished that King Charles, at the foot of 
the mountains, should know how the case stood before 
he went. So he took up the horn and blew it three 
times, with such force that the blood burst out of his 
nose and mouth. Turpin says that at the third blast 
the horn broke in two. 

In spite ot all the noise of the battle, the sound 
of the horn broke over it hke a voice out of the other 
world. They say that birds fell dead at it, and that 
the whole Saracen army drew back in terror. Charle- 
magne was sitting in the midst ot his court when the 
sound reached him, and Gan was there. The Em- 
peror was the first to hear it. 

'^ Do you hear that ? " said he to his nobles. ^' Did 
you hear the horn as I heard it ? " 

Upon this they all listened, and Gan felt his heart 
misgive him. The horn sounded a second time. 

^^ What is the meaning of this ? " said Charles. 

^^ Orlando is hunting," observed Gan, '^ and the 
stag is killed." 

But when the horn sounded yet a third time, and 
the blast was one of so dreadful a vehemence, every- 
body looked at the other, and then they all looked at 
Gan in a fiary. Charles rose from his seat. 

'* This is no hunting of the stag," said he. ^^ The 
sound goes to my very heart. O Gan ! O Gan ! 
Not for thee do I blush, but for myself. O foul and 
monstrous villain ! Take him, gentlemen, and keep 
him in close prison. Would to God I had not lived 
to see this day ! " 

But it was no time for words. They put the 
traitor in prison and then Charles, with all his court, 
took his way to Roncesvalles, grieving and praying. 



196 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

It was afternoon when the horn sounded, and half 
an hour after it when the Emperor set out ; and 
meantime Orlando had returned to the fight that he 
might do his duty, however hopeless, as long as he 
could sit his horse. At length he found his end 
approaching, for toil and fever, and rode all alone to 
a fountain where he had before quenched his thirst. 
His horse was wearier than he, and no sooner had his 
master alighted than the beast, kneeling down as if 
to take leave, and to say, *^ I have brought you to a 
place of rest," fell dead at his feet. Orlando cast 
water on him from the fountain, not wishing to be- 
lieve him dead ; but when he found it to no purpose, 
he grieved for him as if he had been a human being, 
and addressed him by name with tears, and asked 
forgiveness if he had ever done him wrong. They 
say that the horse, at these words, opened his eyes 
a little, and looked kindly at his master, and then 
stirred never more. They say also that Orlando then 
summoning all his strength, smote a rock near him 
with his beautiful sword Durindana, thinking to shiver 
the steel in pieces, and so prevent its falling into the 
hands of the enemy, but though the rock spHt like a 
slate, and a great cleft remained ever after to astonish 
the eyes of pilgrims, the sword remained uninjured. 

And now Rinaldo and Ricciardetto came up, with 
Turpin, having driven back the Saracens, and told 
Orlando that the battle was won. Then Orlando 
knelt before Turpin and begged remission of his sins, 
and Turpin gave him absolution. Orlando fixed his 
eyes on the hilt of his sword as on a crucifix, and 
embraced it, and he raised his eyes and appeared like 
a creature seraphical and transfigured, and bowing his 
head, he breathed out his pure soul. 



THE BATTLE OF RONCESVALLES. 197 

And now King Charles and his nobles came up. 
The Emperor, at sight of the dead Orlando, threw 
himself, as if he had been a reckless youth, from his 
horse, and embraced and kissed the body, and said : 
^^ I bless thee, Orlando ; I bless thy whole life, and 
all that thou wast, and all that thou ever didst, and the 
father that begat thee ; and I ask pardon of thee for 
believing those w^ho brought thee to thine end. They 
shall have their rew^ard, O thou beloved one ! But 
indeed it is thou that hvest, and I who am w^orse than 
dead." 

Plorrible to the Emperor's eyes was the sight of 
the field of Roncesvalles. The Saracens indeed had 
fled, conquered ; but all his paladins but tw^o were 
left on it dead, and the whole valley looked hke a 
great slaughter-house, trampled into blood and dirt, 
and reeking to the heat. Charles trembled to his 
heart's core for wonder and agony. After gazing 
dumbly on the place he cursed it with a solemn curse, 
and wished that never grass might grow in it again, 
nor seed of any kind, neither within it nor on any of 
its mountains around, but the anger of Heaven abide 
over it forever. 

Charles and his w^arriors went after the Saracens 
into Spain. They took and fired Saragossa, and Mar- 
silius was hung to the carob-tree under which he had 
planned his villany w^ith Gan ; and Gan was hung 
and drawn and quartered in Roncesvalles, amidst the 
execrations of the country. 



198 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 



RINALDO AND BAYARD. 

Charlemagne was overwhelmed with grief at the 
loss of so many of his bravest warriors at the disaster 
o£ Roncesvalles, and bitterly reproached himself for 
his credulity in resigning himself so completely to the 
counsels of the treacherous Count Gan. Yet he soon 
fell into a similar snare when he suffered his unworthy 
son. Chariot, to acquire such an influence over him, that 
he constantly led him into acts of cruelty and injustice 
that in his right mind he vv^ould have scorned to com- 
mit. Rinaldo and his brothers, for some shght offence 
to the imperious young prince, were forced to fly from 
Paris, and to take shelter in their castle of Montalban ; 
for Charles had publicly said, if he could take them 
he would hang them all. He sent numbers of his 
bravest knights to arrest them, but all without success. 
Either Rinaldo foiled their efforts and sent them back, 
stripped of their armor and of their glory, or, after 
meeting and conferring with him, they came back and 
told the king they could not be his instruments for 
such a work. 

At last Charles himself raised a great army, and 
went in person to compel the paladin to submit. He 
ravaged all the country round about Montalban, so that 
supplies of food should be cut off, and he threatened 
death to any who should attempt to issue forth, hoping 
to compel the garrison to submit for want of food. 

Rinaldo' s resources had been brought so low that it 
seemed useless to contend any longer. His brothers 
had been taken prisoners in a skirmish, and his only 
hope of saving their lives was in making terms with 
the king. 



RINALDO AND BAYARD. 199 

So he sent a messenger, offering to yield himself 
and his castle if the king would spare his and his 
brothers' lives. While the messenger was gone Ri- 
naldo, impatient to learn what tidings he might bring, 
rode out to meet him. When he had ridden as far 
as he thought prudent he stopped in a wood, and 
alighting, tied Bayard to a tree. Then he sat down, 
and, as he waited, he fell asleep. Bayard meanwhile 
got loose, and strayed away where the grass tempted 
him. Just then came along some country people, who 
said to one another, ^^Look, is not that the great horse 
Bayard that Rinaldo rides ? Let us take him, and 
carry him to King Charles, who will pay us well for 
our trouble." They did so, and the king was de- 
lighted with his prize, and gave them a present that 
made them rich to their dying day. 

When Rinaldo woke he looked round for his horse, 
and, finding him not, he groaned, and said, *^ O un- 
lucky hour that I was born ! how fortune persecutes 
me ! " So desperate was he that he took off his armor 
and his spurs, saying, *^ What need have I of these, 
since Bayard is lost?" While he stood thus lament- 
ing, a man came from the thicket, seemingly bent with 
age. He had a long beard hanging over his breast, 
and eyebrows that almost covered his eyes. He bade 
Rinaldo good day. Rinaldo thanked him, and said, 
'^ A good day I have hardly had since I was born." 
Then said the old man, ^^ Signor Rinaldo, you must 
not despair, for God will make all things turn to the 
best." Rinaldo answered, '' My trouble is too heavy 
for me to hope relief. The king has taken my 
brothers, and means to put them to death. I thought 
to rescue them by means of my horse Bayard, but 
while I slept some thief has stolen him." The old 



200 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

man replied, ^^I will remember you and your brothers 
in my prayers. I am a poor man, have you not 
something to give me?" Rinaldo said, ^^ I have 
nothing to give," but then he recollected his spurs. 
He gave them to the beggar, and said, *^Here, take 
my spurs. They are the first present my mother gave 
me when my father. Count Aymon, dubbed me knight. 
They ought to bring you ten pounds." 

The old man took the spurs, and put them into his 
sack, and said, '^ Noble sir, have you nothing else you 
can give me?" Rinaldo replied, ^^Are you making 
sport of me ? I tell you truly if it were not for shame 
to beat one so helpless, I would teach you better 
manners." The old man said, ''Of a truth, sir, if 
you did so you would do a great sin. If all had 
beaten me of whom I have begged I should have 
been killed long ago, for I ask alms in churches and 
convents, and wherever I can." ^'You say true," 
rephed Rinaldo, ^Mf you did not ask, none would 
relieve you." The old man said, ^^ True, noble 
sir, therefore I pray if you have anything more to 
spare, give it me." Rinaldo gave him his mantle, 
and said,. *^ Take it, pilgrim. I give it you for the 
love of Christ, that God would save my brothers from 
a shameful death, and help me to escape out of King 
Charles's power." 

The pilgrim took the mantle, folded it up, and put 
it into his bag. Then a third time he said to Rinaldo, 
*^Sir, have you nothing left to give me that I may 
remember you in my prayers?" *^ Wretch ! " 
exclaimed Rinaldo, ^^ do you make me your sport ? " 
and he drew his sword, and struck at him ; but the 
old man warded off the blow with his staff, and said, 
^'Rinaldo, would you slay your cousin, Malagigi ? " 



RINALDO AND BAYARD. 20 1 

When Rinaldo heard that he stayed his hand, and gazed 
doubtingly on the old man, who now threw aside his 
disguise, and appeared to be indeed Malagigi. ^* Dear 
cousin," said Rinaldo, ^^ pray forgive me. I did not 
know you. Next to God, my trust is in you. Help 
my brothers to escape out of prison, I entreat you. I 
have lost my horse, and therefore cannot render them 
any assistance." Malagigi answered, ^' Cousin Ri- 
naldo, I will enable you to recover your horse. 
Meanwhile, you must do as I say." 

Then Malagigi took from his sack a gown, and 
gave it to Rinaldo to put on over his armor, and a 
hat that was full of holes, and an old pair of shoes to 
put on. They looked like two pilgrims, very old and 
poor. Then they went forth from the wood, and 
after a little while saw four monks riding along the 
road. Malagigi said to Rinaldo, '^ I will go meet the 
monks, and see what news I can learn." 

Malagigi learned from the monks that on the ap- 
proaching festival there would be a great crowd of 
people at court, for the prince was going to show the 
ladies the famous horse Bayard that used to belong to 
Rinaldo. *^What!" said the pilgrim; *^ is Bayard 
there?" <^Yes," answered the monks; ^^ the king 
has given him to Chariot, and, after the prince has 
ridden him the king means to pass sentence on the 
brothers of Rinaldo, and have them hanged." Then 
Malagigi asked alms of the monks, but they would 
give him none, till he threw aside his pilgrim garb, and 
let them see his armor, when, partly for charity and 
partly for terror, thev gave him a golden cup, adorned 
with precious stones that sparkled in the sunshine. 

Malagigi then hastened back to Rinaldo, and told 
him what he had learned. 



202 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

The morning of the feast-day Rinaldo and Malagigi 
came to the place where the sports were to be held. 
Malagigi gave Rinaldo his spurs back again, and said, 
^^ Cousin, put on your spurs, for you will need them." 
*^ How shall I need them," said Rinaldo, *' since I 
have lost my horse ? " Yet he did as Malagigi di- 
rected him. 

When the two had taken their stand on the border 
of the field among the crowd the princes and ladies 
of the court began to assemble. When they were all 
assembled the king came also, and Chariot wdth him, 
near whom the horse Bayard was led, in the charge 
of grooms, who were expressly enjoined to guard him 
safely. The king, looking round on the circle of 
spectators, saw Malagigi and Rinaldo, and observed 
the splendid cup that they had, and said to Chariot, 
*^See, my son, what a brilliant cup those two pilgrims 
have got. It seems to be worth a hundred ducats." 
^^That is true," said Chariot ; ^' let us go and ask 
where they got it." So they rode to the place where 
the pilgrims stood, and Chariot stopped Bayard close 
to them. 

The horse snuffed at the pilgrims, knew Rinaldo, 
and caressed his master. The king said to Malagigi, 
'^Friend, where did you get that beautiful cup?" 
Malagigi replied, *' Honorable sir, I paid for it all the 
money I have saved from eleven years' begging in 
churches and convents. The Pope himself has blessed 
it, and given it the pov^er that whosoever eats or 
drinks out of it shall be pardoned of all his sins." 
Then said the king to Chariot, ** My son, these are 
right holy men ; see how the dumb beast worships 
them.'' 

Then the king said to Malagigi, ** Give me a mor- 



RINALDO AND BAYARD. 203 

sel from your cup, that I may be cleared of my sins, " 
Malagigi answered, *^ Illustrious lord, I dare not do 
it, unless you will forgive all who have at any time 
offended you. You know that Christ forgave all those 
who had betrayed and crucified him." The king 
replied, ^^ Friend, that is true ; but Rinaldo has so 
grievously offended me, that I cannot forgive him, nor 
that other man, Malagigi, the magician. These two 
shall never live in my kingdom again. If I catch 
them I will certainly have them hanged. But tell 
me, pilgrim, who is that man who stands beside you ? " 
^^ He is deaf, dumb, and Wind," said Malagigi. Then 
the king said again, ^^Give me to drink of your cap, 
to take away my sins." Malagigi answered, '^ My 
lord king, here is my poor brother, who for fifty days 
has not heard, spoken, nor seen. This misfortune 
befell him in a house where we found shelter, and the 
day before yesterday we met with a wise woman, who 
told him the only hope of a cure for him was to come 
to some place where Bayard was to be ridden, and to 
mount and ride him ; that would do him more good 
than anything else." Then said the king, ^^ Friend, 
you have come to the right place, for Bayard is to be 
ridden here to-day. Give me a draught from your 
cup, and your companion shall ride upon Bayard." 
Malagigi, hearing these words, said, ^^ Be it so." 
Then the king, with great devotion, took a spoon, and 
dipped a portion from the pilgrim's cup, believing that 
his sins should be thereby forgiven. 

When this was done, the king said to Chariot, 
^^Son, I request that you will let this sick pilgrim sit 
on your horse, and ride if he can, for by so doing he 
will be healed of all his infirmities." Chariot replied, 
^* That will I gladly do." So saying, he dismounted. 



204 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

and the servants took the pilgrim in their arms, and 
helped him on the horse. 

When Rinaldo was mounted, he put his feet in the 
stirrups, and said, ''1 would like to ride a little." 
Malagigi, hearing him speak, seemed delighted, and 
asked him whether he could see and hear also. 
^^Yes," said Rinaldo, ''I am healed of all my in- 
firmities." When the king heard it he said to Bishop 
Turpin, ** My lord bishop, we must celebrate this 
with a procession, with crosses and banners, for it is a 
great miracle." 

When Rinaldo remarked that he was not carefully 
watched, he spoke to the horse, and touched him with 
the spurs. Bayard knew that his master was upon 
him, and he started off upon a rapid pace, and in a 
few moments was a good way oiF. Malagigi pretended 
to be in great alarm. ^^O noble king and master," 
he cried, " my poor companion is run away with ; 
he will fall and break his neck." The king ordered 
his knights to ride after the pilgrim, and bring him 
back, or help him if need were. They did so, but 
it was in vain. Rinaldo left them all behind him, 
and kept on his way till he reached Montalban. 
Malagigi was suffered to depart, unsuspected, and he 
went his way, making sad lamentation for the fate of 
his comrade, who he pretended to think must surely 
be dashed to pieces. 

Malagigi did not go far, but having changed his 
disguise, returned to where the king was, and em- 
ployed his best art in getting the brothers of Rinaldo 
out of prison. He succeeded ; and all three got safely 
to Montalban, where Rinaldo's joy at the rescue of 
his brothers and the recovery of Bayard was more 
than tongue can tell. 



DEATH OF RINALDO. 205 



DEATH OF RINALDO. 

The distress in Rinaldo's castle for want of food 
grew more severe every day, under the pressure of 
the siege. The garrison were forced to kill their 
horses, both to save the provision they would con- 
same, and to make food of their flesh. At last all 
the horses were killed except Bayard, and Rinaldo 
said to his brothers, ^' Bayard must die, for we have 
nothing else to eat." So they went to the stable and 
brought out Bayard to kill him. But Alardo said, 
'' Brother, let Bayard live a little longer ; who knows 
what God may do for us ? " 

Bayard heard these words, and understood them as 
if he was a man, and fell on his knees, as if he would 
beg for mercy. When Rinaldo saw the distress of 
his horse his heart failed him, and he let him live. 

Just at this time Aya, Rinaldo's mother, who was the 
sister of the Emperor, came to the camp, attended 
by knights and ladies, to intercede for her sons. She 
fell on her knees before the king, and besought him 
that he would pardon Rinaldo and his brothers : and 
all the peers and knights took her side, and entreated 
the king to grant her prayer. Then said the king, 
*^ Dear sister, you act the part of a good mother, and 
I respect your tender heart, and yield to your en- 
treaties. I will spare your sons their lives if they 
submit implicitly to my will." 

When Chariot heard this he approached the king 
and whispered in his ear. And the king turned to 
his sister and said, *^ Chariot must have Bayard, be- 
cause I have given the horse to him. Now go, my 
sister, and tell Rinaldo what I have said." 



2o6 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

When the Lady Aya heard these words she was 
delighted, thanked God in her heart, and said, ^^ Wor- 
thy king and brother, I will do as you bid me." So 
she went into the castle, where her sons received her 
most joyfully and affectionately, and she told them the 
king's offer. Then Alardo said, '^ Brother, I would 
rather have the king's enmity than give Bayard to 
Chariot, for I believe he will kill him." Likewise 
said all the brothers. When Rinaldo heard them he 
said, '^ Dear brothers, if we may win our forgiveness 
by giving up the horse, so be it. Let us make our 
peace, for we cannot stand against the king's power." 
Then he went to his mother, and told her they would 
give the horse to Chariot, and more, too, if the king 
would pardon them, and forgive all that they had done 
against his crown and dignity. The lady returned to 
Charles and told him the answer of her sons. 

When the peace was thus made between the king 
and the sons of Aymon, the brothers came forth from 
the castle, bringing Bayard with them, and, falHng at 
the king's feet, begged his forgiveness. The king bade 
them rise, and received them into favor in the sight of 
all his noble knights and counsellors, to the great 
joy of all, especially of the Lady Aya, their mother. 
Then Rinaldo took the horse Bayard, gave him to 
Chariot, and said, '' My lord and prince, this horse I 
give to you ; do with him as to you seems good." 
Chariot took him, as had been agreed on. Then he 
made the servants take him to the bridge, and throw 
him into the water. Bayard sank to the bottom, but 
soon came to the surface again and swam, saw Rinaldo 
looking at him, came to land, ran to his old master, 
and stood by him as proudly as if he had understand- 
ing, and would say, '' Why did you treat me so ? " 



DEATH OF RINALDO. 207 

When the prince saw that he said, ^^ Rinaldo, give 
me the horse again, for he must die." Rinaldo re- 
plied, *^ My lord and prince, he is yours without 
dispute," and gave him to him. The prince then had 
a millstone tied to each foot, and two to his neck, and 
made them throw him again into the water. Bayard 
struggled in the water, looked up to his master, threw 
off the stones, and came back to Rinaldo. 

When Alardo saw that, he said, ^^ Now must thou 
be disgraced forever, brother, if thou give up the horse 
again." But Rinaldo answered, '^ Brother, be still. 
Shall I for the horse's life provoke the anger of the 
king again ? " Then Alardo said, *^ Ah, Bayard ! 
what a return do we make for all thy true love and 
service ! ' ' Rinaldo gave the horse to the prince again, 
and said, *^ My lord, if the horse comes out again I 
cannot return him to you any more, for it wrings 
my heart too much." Then Chariot had Bayard 
loaded with the stones as before, and thrown into the 
water ; and commanded Rinaldo that he should not 
stand where the horse would see him. When Bayard 
rose to the surface he stretched his neck out of the 
water and looked round for his master, but saw him 
not. Then he sunk to the bottom. 

Rinaldo was so distressed for the loss of Bayard 
that he made a vow to ride no horse again all his 
life long, nor to bind a sword to his side, but to 
become a hermit. He resolved to betake himself to 
some wild wood, but first to return to his castle, 
to see his children, and to appoint to each his share 
of his estate. 

So he took leave of the king and of his brothers, 
and returned to Montalban, and his brothers re- 
mained with the king. Rinaldo called his children 



2o8 LEGENDS OP CHARLEMAGNE. 

to him, and he made his eldest born, Aymeric, a 
knight, and made him lord of his castle and of his 
land. He gave to the rest what other goods he had, 
and kissed and embraced them all, commended them to 
God, and then departed from them with a heavy heart. 
He had not travelled far when he entered a wood, 
and there met with a hermit, who had long been 
retired from the world. Rinaldo greeted him, and 
the hermit replied courteously, and asked him who 
he was and what was his purpose. Rinaldo replied, 
*^ Sir, I have led a sinful life ; many deeds of vio- 
lence have I done, and many men have I slain, not 
always in a good cause, but often under the im- 
pulse of my own headstrong passions. I have also 
been the cause of the death of many of my friends, 
.who took my part, not because they thought me in 
the right, but only for love of me. And now I come 
to make confession of all my sins, and to do pen- 
ance for the rest of my Hfe, if perhaps the mercy 
of God will forgive me. " The hermit said, '^ Friend, 
I perceive you have fallen into great sins, and have 
broken the commandments of God, but his mercy is 
greater than your sins ; and if you repent from your 
heart, and lead a new life, there is yet hope for you 
that he will forgive you what is past." So Rinaldo 
was comforted, and said, '^ Master, I will stay w^ith 
you, and what you bid me I will do." The hermit 
replied, *^ Roots and vegetables will be your food ; 
shirt or shoes you may not wear ; your lot must be 
poverty and want if you stay with me." Rinaldo 
repHed, ^* I will cheerfully bear all this, and more." 
So he remained three whole years with the hermit, and 
after that his strength failed, and it seemed as if he 
was hke to die. 



DEATH OF RINALDO. 209 

One night the hermit had a dream, and heard a 
voice from heaven, v^hich commanded him to say 
to his companion that he must wdthout delay go 
to the Holy Land, and fight against the heathen. 
The hermit, when he heard that voice, was glad, 
and caUing Rinaldo, he said, ^^ Friend, God's angel 
has commanded me to say to you that you must with- 
out delay go to Jerusalem, and help our fellow- 
Christians in their struggle with the Infidels." Then 
said Rinaldo, '' Ah ! master, how can I do that ? It 
is over three years since I made a vow no more to ride 
a horse, nor take a sword or spear in my hand." The 
hermit answered, *^ Dear friend, obey God, and do 
what the angel commanded." ^^I will do so," said 
Rinaldo, *^ and pray for me, my master, that God may 
guide me right." Then he departed, and went to 
the seaside, and took ship and came to Tripoli in 
Syria. 

And as he went on his way his strength returned 
to him, till it was equal to what it was in his best 
days. And though he never mounted a horse, nor 
took a sword in his hand, yet with his pilgrim's staiF 
he did good service in the armies of the Christians ; 
and it pleased God that he escaped unhurt, though he 
was present in many battles, and his courage inspired 
the men with the same. At last a truce was made 
with the Saracens, and Rinaldo, now old and infirm, 
wishing to see his native land again before he died, 
took ship and sailed for France. When he arrived 
he shunned to go to the resorts of the great, and pre- 
ferred to live among the humble folk, where he was 
unknown. He did country work, and Hv^d on milk 
and bread, drank water, and was therewith content. 
While he so lived he heard that the city of Cologne 



2IO LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

was the holiest and best of cities, on account of the 
relics and bodies of saints who had there poured out 
their blood for the faith. This induced him to betake 
himself thither. When the pious hero arrived at 
Cologne he went to the monastery of St. Peter, and 
lived a holy life, occupied night and day in devotion. 
It so happened that at that time in the next town to 
Cologne there raged a dreadful pestilence. Many 
people came to Rinaldo, to beg him to pray for them, 
that the plague might be stayed. The holy man 
prayed fervently, and besought the Lord to take away 
the plague from the people, and his prayer was heard. 
The stroke of the pestilence was arrested, and all the 
people thanked the holy man and praised God. 

Now there was at this time at Cologne a bishop, 
called Agilolphus, who was a wise and understanding 
man, who led a pure and secluded life, and set a good 
example to others. This bishop undertook to build 
the Church of St. Peter, and gave notice to all stone- 
masons and other workmen round about to come to 
Cologne, where they should find work and wages. 
Among others came Rinaldo ; and he worked among 
the laborers and did more than four or five common 
workmen. When they went to dinner he brought 
stone and mortar so that they had enough for the 
whole day. When the others went to bed he stretched 
himself out on the stones. He ate bread only, and 
drank nothing but water ; and had for his wages but a 
penny a day. The head workman asked him his name, 
and where he belonged. He would not tell, but said 
nothing and pursued his work. They called -him St. 
Peter's workman, because he was so devoted to his work. 

When the overseer saw the dihgence of this holy 
man he chid the laziness of the other workmen, and 



DEATH OF RINALDO. 211 

said, ^^ You receive more pay than this good man, but 
do not do half as much work." For this reason the 
other workmen hated Rinaldo, and made a secret 
agreement to kill him. They knew that he made it a 
practice to go every night to a certain church to pray 
and give alms. So they agreed to lay wait for him, 
with the purpose to kill him. When he came to the 
spot, they seized him, and beat him over the head till 
he was dead. Then they put his body into a sack, 
and stones wdth it, and cast it into the Rhine, in the 
hope the sack would sink to the bottom, and be there 
concealed. But God willed not that it should be so, 
but caused the sack to float on the surface, and be 
thrown upon the bank. And the soul of the holy 
martyr was carried by angels, with songs of praise, up 
to the heavens. 

Now at that time the people of Dortmund had be- 
come converted to the Christian faith ; and they sent 
to the Bishop of Cologne, and desired him to give them 
some of the holy relics that are in such abundance in 
that city. So the Bishop called together his clergy to 
deliberate what answer they should give to this request. 
And it was determined to give to the people of Dort- 
mund the body of the holy man who had just suiFered 
martyrdom. 

When now the body with the coffin was put on the 
cart, the cart began to move toward Dortmund without 
horses or help of men, and stopped not till it reached 
the place where the church of St. Rinaldo now stands. 
The Bishop and his clergy followed the holy man to 
do him honor, with singing of hymns, for a space of 
three miles. And St. Rinaldo has ever since been the 
patron of that place, and many wonderful works has 
God done through him, as maybe seen in the legends. 



212 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 



HUON OF BORDEAUX. 

When Charlemagne grew old he felt the burden of 
government become heavier year by year, till at last he 
called together his high barons and peers to propose to 
abdicate the empire and the throne of France in favor 
of his sons. Chariot and Lewis. 

The Emperor was unreasonably partial to his eldest 
son ; he would have been glad to have had the barons 
and peers demand Chariot for their only sovereign ; but 
that prince was so infamous, for his falsehood and cruelty, 
that the council strenuously opposed the Emperor's 
proposal of abdicating, and implored him to continue 
to hold a sceptre which he wielded with so much 
glory. 

Amaury of Haute ville, cousin of Ganelon, and now 
head of the wicked branch of the house of Maganza, 
was the secret partisan of Chariot, whom he resem- 
bled in his loose morals and bad dispositions. Amaury 
nourished the most bitter resentment against the house 
of Guienne, of which the former Duke, Sevinus, had 
often rebuked his misdeeds. He took advantage of 
this occasion to do an injury to the two young children 
whom the Duke Sevinus had left under the charge 
of the Duchess AUce, their mother ; and at the same 
time, to advance his interest with Chariot by increas- 
ing his wealth and power. With this view he sug- 
gested to the prince a new idea. 

He pretended to agree with the opinion of the 
barons ; he said that it would be best to try Chariot's 
capacity for government by giving him some rich 
provinces before placing him upon the throne ; and 
that the Emperor, without depriving himself of any 



HUON OF BORDEAUX. 213 

part of his realm, might give Chariot the investiture 
of Guienne. For although seven years had passed 
since the death of Sevinus, the young Duke, his son, 
had not yet repaired to the court of Charlemagne to 
render the homage due to his lawful sovereign. 

We have often had occasion to admire the justice 
and wisdom of the advice which on all occasions the 
Duke Namo of Bavaria gave to Charlemagne, and he 
now discountenanced, with indignation, the selfish ad- 
vice of Amaury. He represented to the Emperor the 
early age of the children of Sevinus, and the useful and 
glorious services of their late father, and proposed to 
Charlemagne to send two knights to the Duchess at 
Bordeaux, to summon her two sons to the court of the 
Emperor, to pay their respects and render homage. 

Charlemagne approved this advice, and sent two 
chevaliers to demand the two young princes of their 
mother. No sooner had the Duchess learned the ap- 
proach of the two knights, than she sent distinguished 
persons to receive them ; and as soon as they entered 
the palace she presented herself before them, with her 
elder and younger sons, Huon and Girard. 

The deputies, dehghted with the honors and ca- 
resses they received, accompanied with rich presents, 
left Bordeaux with regret and on their return rep- 
resented to Charlemagne that the young Duke Huon 
seemed born to tread in the footsteps of his brave 
father, informing him that in three months the young 
princes of Guienne would present themselves at his 
court. 

The Duchess employed the short interval in giving 
her sons her last instructions. Huon received them in 
his heart, and Girard gave as much heed to them as 
could be expected from one so young. 



214 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

The preparations for their departure having been 
made, the Duchess embraced them tenderly, commend- 
ing them to the care of Heaven, and charged them to 
call, on their v^ay, at the celebrated monastery ' of 
Cluny, to visit the Abbot, the brother of their father. 
This Abbot, vi^orthy of his high dignity, had never 
lost an opportunity of doing good, setting an example 
of every excellence, and making virtue attractive by 
his example. 

He received his nephews v^ith the greatest magnifi- 
cence ; and, aware how useful his presence might be 
to them with Charlemagne, whose valued counsellor 
he was, he took with them the road to Paris. 

When Amaury learned what reception the two dep- 
uties of Charlemagne had received at Bordeaux, and 
the arrangements made for the visit of the young 
princes to the Emperor's court, he suggested to Char- 
lot to give him a troop of his guards, with which he 
proposed to lay wait for the young men in the wood 
of Montlery, put them to death, and 'thereby give the 
prince Chariot possession of the duchy of Guienne. 

A plan of treachery and violence agreed but too 
well with Chariot's disposition. He not only adopted 
the suggestion of Amaury, but insisted upon taking a 
part in it. They went out secretly, by night, fol- 
lowed by a great number of attendants, all armed in 
black, to lie in ambuscade in the wood where the 
brothers were to pass. 

Girard, the younger of the two, having amused 
himself as he rode by flying his hawk at such game 
as presented itself, had ridden in advance of his 
brother and the Abbot of Cluny. Chariot, who saw 
him coming, alone and unarmed, went forth to meet 
him, sought a quarrel with him, and threw him from 



HUON OF BORDEAUX. 215 

his horse with a stroke of his lance. Girard uttered a 
cry as he fell ; Huon heard it, and flew to his defence, 
with no other weapon than his sword. He came up 
with him, and saw the blood flowing from his wound. 
^^ What has this child done to you, wretch ? " he ex- 
claimed to Chariot. ^^ How cowardly to attack him 
when unprepared to defend himself!" ^^By my 
faith," said Chariot, '^ I mean to do the same by you. 
Know that I am the son of Duke Thierry of Ardennes, 
from whom your father, Sevinus, took three castles ; 
I have sworn to avenge him, and I defy you," 
^^ Coward, " answered Huon, ^^ I know well the 
baseness that dwells in your race ; worthy son of 
Thierry, use the advantage that your armor gives you ; 
but know that I fear you not." At these words 
Chariot had the wickedness to put his lance in rest, 
and to run upon Huon, who had barely time to wrap 
his arm in his mantle. With this feeble buckler he 
received the thrust of the lance. It penetrated the 
mantle, but missed his body. Then, rising upon his 
stirrups. Sir Huon struck Chariot so terrible a blow 
with his sword that the helmet was cleft asunder, and 
his head too. The dastardly prince fell dead upon 
the ground. 

Huon now perceived that the wood was full of 
armed men. He called the men of his suite, and they 
hastily put themselves in order, but nobody issued 
from the wood to attack him. Amaury, who saw 
Chariot's fall, had no desire to compromit himself; 
and, feeling sure that Charlemagne would avenge the 
death of his son, he saw no occasion for his doing 
anything more at present. He left Huon and the 
Abbot of Cluny to bind up the wound of Girard, 
and, having seen them depart and resume their way 



2l6 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

to Paris, he took up the body of Chariot, and, placing 
it across a horse, had it carried to Paris, where he 
arrived four hours after Huon. 

The Abbot of Cluny presented his nephew to 
Charlemagne, but Huon refrained from paying his 
obeisance, complaining grievously of the ambush which 
had been set for him, which he said could not have 
been without the Emperor's permission. Charle- 
magne, surprised at a charge which his magnanimous 
soul was incapable of meriting, asked eagerly of the 
Abbot what were the grounds of the complaints of his 
nephew. The Abbot told him faithfully all that had 
happened, informing him that a coward knight, who 
called himself the son of Thierry of Ardennes, had 
wounded Girard, and run upon Huon, who was un- 
armed ; but by his force and valor he had overcome 
the traitor, and left him dead upon the plain. 

Charlemagne indignantly disavowed any connection 
with the action of the infamous Thierry, congratulated 
the young Duke upon his victory, himself conducted 
the two brothers to a rich apartment, stayed to see 
the first dressing applied to the wound of Girard, and 
left the brothers in charge of Duke Namo of Bavaria, 
who, having been a companion in arms of the Duke 
Sevinus, regarded the young men almost as if they 
were his own sons. 

Charlemagne had hardly quitted them when, re- 
turning to his chamber, he heard cries, and saw 
through the window a party of armed men just ar- 
rived. He recognized Amaury, who bore a dead 
knight stretched across a horse ; and the name of Char- 
lot was heard among the exclamations of the people 
assembled in the court-yard. 

Charles's partiality for this unworthy son was one 



HUON OF BORDEAUX. 217 

of his weaknesses. He descended in trepidation to 
the court-yard, ran to Amaury, and uttered a cry of 
grief on recognizing Chariot. ^' It is Huon of Bor- 
deaux," said the traitor Amaury, ^Mvho has massa- 
cred your son before it was in my power to defend 
him." Charlemagne, furious at these words, seized 
a sword, and flew to the apartment of the two brothers 
to plunge it into the heart of the murderer of his son. 
Duke Namo stopped his hand for an instant, while 
Charles told him the crime of which Huon was ac- 
cused. ^' He is a peer of the realm," said Namo, 
^' and if he is guilty, is he not here in your power, 
and are not we peers the proper judges to condemn 
him to death ? Let not your hand be stained with 
his blood." The Emperor, calmed by the wisdom 
of Duke Namo, summoned Amaury to his presence. 
The peers assembled to hear his testimony, and -the 
traitor accused Huon of Bordeaux of having struck the 
fatal blow without allowing Chariot an opportunity 
to defend himself, and though he knew that his oppo- 
nent was the Emperor's eldest son. 

The Abbot of Cluny, indignant at the false accusa- 
tion of Amaury, advanced, and said, ^' By Saint Bene- 
dict, sire, the traitor Hes in his throat. If my nephew 
has slain Chariot it was in his own defence, and after 
having seen his brother wounded by him, and also in 
ignorance that his adversary was the prince. Though 
I am a son of the Church," added the good Abbot, 
*^ I forget not that I am a knight by birth. I offer to 
prove with my body the lie upon Amaury, if he dares 
sustain it, and I shall feel that I am doing a better work 
to punish a disloyal traitor, than to sing lauds and 
matins." 

Huon to this time had kept silent, amazed at the 



21 8 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

black calumny of Amaury ; but now he stepped forth, 
and, addressing Amaury, said : *^ Traitor! darest thou 
maintain in arms the lie thou hast uttered ? " Amaury, 
a knight of great prowess, despising the youth and 
shght figure of Huon, hesitated not to offer his glove, 
which Huon seized; then, turning again to the peers, 
he said: *^I pray you let the combat be allowed me, 
for never was there a more legitimate cause." The 
Duke Namo and the rest, deciding that the question 
should be remitted to the judgment of Heaven, the 
combat was ordained, to which Charlemagne unwil- 
hngly consented. The young Duke was restored to 
the charge of Duke Namo, who the next morning in- 
vested him with the honors of knighthood, and gave 
him armor of proof, with a white shield. The Abbot 
of Cluny, delighted to find in his nephew sentiments 
worthy of his birth, embraced him, gave him his bless- 
ing, and hastened to the church of St. Germains to 
pray for him, while the officers of the king prepared 
the lists for the combat. 

The battle was long and obstinate. The address 
and agihty of Huon enabled him to avoid the terrible 
blows which the ferocious Amaury aimed at him. But 
Huon had more than once drawn blood fi*om his 
antagonist. The effect began to be perceived in the 
faihng strength of the traitor ; at last he threw him- 
self from his horse, and kneeling, begged for mercy. 
*' Spare me," he said, '^ and I will confess all. Aid 
me to rise, and lead me to Charlemagne." The brave 
and loyal Huon, at these words, put his sword under 
his left arm, and stretched out his right to raise the 
prostrate man, who seized the opportunity to give him 
a thrust in the side. The hauberk of Huon resisted 
the blow, and he was wounded but slightly. Trans- 

4 



HUON OF BORDEAUX. 219 

ported with rage at this act of baseness, he forgot how- 
necessary for his complete acquittal the confession of 
Amaury was, and without delay dealt him the fatal' 
blow. 

Duke Namo and the other peers approached, had 
the body of Amaury dragged forth from the lists, and 
conducted Huon to Charlemagne. The Emperor, how- 
ever, listening to nothing but his resentment and grief 
for the death of his son, refused to be satisfied ; and 
under the plea that Huon had not succeeded in making 
his accuser retract his charge seemed resolved to con- 
fiscate his estates and to banish him forever from 
France. It was not till after long entreaties on the 
part of Duke Namo and the rest that he consented to 
grant Huon his pardon, under conditions which he 
should impose. 

Huon approached, and knelt before the Emperor, 
rendered him homage, and cried him mercy for the 
involuntary killing of his son. Charlemagne would 
not receive the hands of Huon in his own, but 
touched him with his sceptre, saying, ^^ I receive thy 
homage, and pardon thee the death of my son, but 
only on one condition. You shall go immediately to 
the court of 'the Sultan Gaudisso ; you shall present 
yourself before him as he sits at meat ; you shall cut 
oiF the head of the most illustrious guest whom you 
shall find sitting nearest to him ; you shall kiss three 
times on the mouth the fair princess, his daughter, 
and you shall demand of the Sultan, as token of tribute 
to me, a handful of the white hair of his beard^ and 
four grinders from his mouth." 

These conditions caused a murmur from all the 
assembly. '^What!" said the Abbot of Cluny ; 
^' slaughter a Saracen prince without first offering him 



220 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

baptism ? " ^^ The second condition is not so hard," 
said the young peers, ^< but the demand that Huon is 
bound to make of the old Sultan is very uncivil, and 
will be hard to obtain." 

The Emperor's obstinacy when he had once re- 
solved upon a thing is well known. To the courage 
of Huon nothing seemed impossible. *^l accept the 
conditions," said he, silencing the intercessions of the 
old Duke of Bavaria ; ^' my liege, I accept my pardon 
at this price. I go to execute your commands, as 
your vassal and a peer of France." 

The Duke Namo and Abbot of Cluny, being una- 
ble to obtain any relaxation of the sentence passed by 
Charlemagne, led forth the young Duke, who deter- 
mined to set out at once on his expedition. All that 
the good Abbot could obtain of him was, that he 
should prepare for this perilous undertaking by going 
first to Rome, to pay his homage to the Pope, who 
was the brother of the Duchess Alice, Huon's mother, 
and from him demand absolution and his blessing. 
Huon promised it, and forthwith set out on his way to 
Rome. 



HUON OF BORDEAUX. 

(^Coiitinued.^ 

Huon, having traversed the Apennines and Italy, 
arrived at the environs of Rome, where, laying aside 
his armor, he assumed the dress of a pilgrim. In this 
attire he presented himself before the Pope, and not 
till after he had made a full confession of his sins did 
he announce himself as his nephew. **Ah ! my dear 



HUON OF BORDEAUX. 22 1 

nephew," exclaimed the Holy Father, ^' what harder 
penance could I impose than the Emperor has already- 
done ? Go in peace, my son," .he added, absolving 
him, *^ I go to intercede for you with the Most High. " 
Then he led his nephew into his palace, and introduced 
him to all the Cardinals and Princes of Rome as the 
Duke of Guienne, son o^ the Duchess Alice, his 
sister. 

Huon, at setting out, had made a vow not to stop 
more than three days in a place. The Holy Father 
took advantage of this time to inspire him with zeal for 
the glory of Christianity, and with confidence in the 
protection of the Most High. He advised him to 
embark for Palestine, to visit the Holy Sepulchre, and 
to depart thence for the interior of Asia. 

Loaded with the blessings of the Holy Father, 
Huon, obeying his counsels, embarked for Palestine, 
arrived, and visited with the greatest reverence the 
holy places. He then departed, and took his way to- 
ward the east. But, ignorant of the country and of 
the language, he lost himself in a forest, and remained 
three days without seeing a human creature, living on 
honey and wild fruits which he found on the trees. 
The third day, seeking a passage through a rocky 
defile, he beheld a man in tattered clothing, whose 
beard and hair covered his breast and shoulders. 
This man stopped on seeing him, observed him, and 
recognized the arms and bearing of a French knight. 
He immediately approached, and exclaimed, in the 
language of the South of France, ^^ God be praised ! 
Do I indeed behold a chevaHer of my own country, 
after fifteen years passed in this desert without seeing 
the face of a fellow-countryman? " 

Huon, to gratify him still more, unlaced his helmet. 



2 22 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

and came towards him with a smiling countenance. 
The other regarded him with more surprise than at 
first. *' Good Heaven ! " he exclaimed, ^' was there 
ever such a resemblance ? Ah, noble sir," he added, 
'^ tell me, I beseech you, of what country and race 
you come ? " ^^ I require," rephed Huon, ^^ before 
telhng you mine, that you first reveal your own ; let it 
suffice you at present to know that I am a Christian, 
and that in Guienne I was born." '^ Ah ! Heaven 
grant that my eyes and my heart do not deceive me," 
exclaimed the unknown ; ' ' my name is Sherasmin ; I 
am brother to Guire, the Mayor of Bordeaux. I was 
taken prisoner in the battle where my dear and illus- 
trious master, Sevinus, lost his life. For three years 
I endured the miseries of slavery ; at length I broke 
my chains and escaped to this desert, where I have 
sustained myself in solitude ever since. Your features 
recall to me my beloved sovereign, in whose service I 
was from my infancy till his death." Huon made no 
reply but by embracing the old man, with tears in his 
eyes. Then Sherasmin learned that his arms enfolded 
the son of the Duke Sevinus. He led him to his 
cabin, and spread before him the dry fruits and honey 
which formed his only aliment. 

Huon recounted his adventures to Sherasmin, who 
was moved to tears at the recital. He then consulted 
him on the means of conducting his enterprise. She- 
rasmin hesitated not to confess that success seemed im- 
possible ; nevertheless he swore a solemn oath never to 
abandon him. The Saracen language, which he was 
master of, would be serviceable to them when they 
should leave the desert, and mingle with men. 

They took the route of the Red Sea, and entered 
Arabia. Their way lay through a region which She- 



HUON OF BORDEAUX. 223 

rasmin described as full of terrors. It was inhabited 
by Oberon, King of the Fairies, who made captive 
such knights as were rash enough to penetrate into it, 
and transformed them into Hobgoblins. It w^as possi- 
ble to avoid this district at the expense of somewhar 
lengthening their route ; but no dangers could deter 
Huon of Bordeaux ; and the brave Sherasmin, who had 
now resumed the armor of a knight, reluctantly con- 
sented to share with him the dangers of the shorter 
route. 

They entered a wood, and arrived at a spot whence 
alleys branched off in various directions. One of them 
seemed to be terminated by a superb palace, whose 
gilded roofs were adorned with briUiant weathercocks 
covered with diamonds. A superb chariot issued from 
the gate of the palace, and drove tow^ard Huon and his 
companion, as if to meet them half-way. The prince 
saw no one in the chariot but a child apparently about 
five years old, very beautiful, and clad in a robe w^hich 
glittered with precious stones. At the sight of him., 
Sherasmin's terror was extreme. He seized the reins 
of Huon's horse, and turned him about, hurrying the 
prince away, and assuring him that they were lost if 
they stopped to parley with the mischievous dwarf, 
who, though he appeared a child, was full of years 
and of treachery. Huon was sorry to lose sight of the 
beautiful dwarf, whose aspect had nothing in it to 
alarm ; yet he followed his friend, who urged on his 
horse with all possible speed. Presently a storm began 
to roar through the forest, the daylight grew dim, and 
they found their way with difficulty. From time to 
time they seemed to hear an infantine voice, which 
said, ^' Stop, Duke Huon ; listen to me : it is in vain 
you fly me ! ' ' 



2 24 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

Sherasmin only fled the faster, and stopped not until 
he had reached the gate of a monastery of monks and 
nuns, the two communities of which were assembled at 
that time in a religious proc^sion. Sherasmin, feeling 
safe from the malice of the dwarf in the presence of 
so many holy persons and the sacred banners, stopped 
to ask an asylum, and made Huon dismount also. But 
at that moment they were joined by the dwarf, who 
blew a blast upon an ivory horn which hung from his 
neck. Immediately the good Sherasmin, in spite of 
himself, began to dance like a young collegian, and 
seizing the hand of an aged nun, who felt as if it would 
be her death, they footed it briskly over the grass, and 
were imitated by all the other monks and nuns, 
mingled together, forming the strangest dancing-party 
ever beheld. Huon alone felt no disposition to dance ; 
but he came near dying of laughter at seeing the ridicu- 
lous postures and leaps of the others. 

The dwarf, approaching Huon, said, in a sweet 
voice, and in Huon's own language, '* Duke of Gui- 
enne, why do you shun me ? I conjure you, in 
Heaven's name, speak to* me." Huon, hearing him- 
self addressed in this serious manner, and knowing that 
no evil spirit would dare to use the holy name in aid 
of his schemes, repHed, ^^ Sir, whoever you are, I am 
ready to hear and answer you." '^ Huon, my friend," 
continued the dwarf, *' I always loved your race, and 
you have been dear to me ever since your birth. The 
gracious state of conscience in which you were when 
you entered my wood has protected you from all en- 
chantments, even if I had intended to practise any 
upon you. If these monks, these nuns, and even your 
friend Sherasmin, had had a conscience as pure as 
yours, my horn would not have set them dancing ; 



HUON OF BORDEAUX. 225 

but where is the monk or the nun who can always be 
deaf to the voice of the tempter, and Sherasmin in the 
desert has often doubted the power of Providence. " 

At these words Huon saw the dancers overcome 
with exertion. He begged mercy for them, the dwarf 
granted it, and the effect of the horn ceased at once ; 
the nuns got rid of their partners, smoothed their 
dresses, and hastened to resume their places in the 
procession. Sherasmin, overcome with heat, panting, 
and unable to stand on his legs, threw himself upon the 
grass, and began, '* Did not I tell you" — He was 
going on in an angry tone, but the dwarf, approaching, 
said, '^ Sherasmin, why have you murmured against 
Providence ? Why have you thought evil of me ? You 
deserved this light punishment ; but I know you to be 
good and loyal ; I mean to show myself your friend, 
as you shall soon see." At these words he presented 
him a rich goblet. '^ Make the sign of the cross on 
this cup," said he, ^' and then believe that I hold my 
power from the God you adore, whose faithful servant 
I am, as well as you. Sherasmin obeyed, and on the 
instant the cup was filled with dehcious wine, a draught 
of which restored vigor to his limbs, and made him feel 
young again. Overcome with gratitude, he threw 
himself on his knees, but the dwarf raised him, and 
bade him sit beside him, and thus commenced his his- 
tory : 

^* Julius Cssar, going by sea to join his army, was 
driven by a storm to take shelter in the island of 
Celea, where dwelt the fairy Glorianda. From this 
renowned pair I draw my birth. I am the inheritor 
of that which was most admirable in each of my 
parents : my father's heroic quahties, and my mother's 
beauty and magic art. But a mahcious sister of my 



226 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

mother's, in revenge for some slight offence, touched 
me with her wand when 1 was only five years old, 
and forbade me to grow any bigger ; and my mother, 
with all her power, was unable to annul the sentence. 
I have thus continued infantile in appearance, though 
fall of years and experience. The power which I de- 
rive from my mother I use sometimes for my own 
diversion, but always to promote justice and to reward 
virtue. I am able and willing to assist you, Duke of 
Guienne, for I know the errand on which you come 
hither. I presage for you, if you follow my counsels, 
complete success ; and the beautiful Clarimunda for a 
wife." 

When he had thus spoken he presented to Huon 
the precious and useful cup, which had the faculty of 
filling itself when a good man took it in his hand. 
He gave him also his beautiful horn of ivory, saying 
to him, *^ Huon, when you sound this gently, you 
will make the hearers dance, as you have seen ; but 
if you sound it forcibly, fear not that I shall hear it, 
though at a hundred leagues' distance, and will fly to 
your rehef ; but be carefiil not to sound it in that way, 
unless upon the most urgent occasion." 

Oberon directed Huon w^hat course he should take 
to reach the country of the Sultan Gaudisso. *' You 
will encounter great perils," said he, ^'before arriving 
there, and I fear me," he added, with tears in his 
eyes, ^^that you will not in everything obey my di- 
rections, and in that case you will suffer much calam- 
ity." Then he embraced Huon and Sherasmin, and 
left them. 

Huon and his follower travelled many days through 
the desert before they reached any inhabited place, 
and all this while the wonderful cup sustained them. 



HUON OF BORDEAUX. 227 

furnishing them not only wine, but food also. At last 
they came to a great city. As day was declining, 
th-ey entered its suburbs, and Sherasmin, who spoke 
the Saracen language perfectly, inquired for an inn 
where they could pass the night. A person who ap- 
peared to be one of the principal inhabitants, seeing 
two strangers of respectable appearance making this 
inquiry, stepped forward and begged them to accept 
the shelter of his mansion. They entered, and their 
host did the honors of his abode with a pohteness 
which they were astonished to see in a Saracen. He 
had them served w^ith coifee and sherbet, and all was 
conducted with great decorum, till one of the servants 
awkwardly overturned a cup of hot coifee on the 
host's legs, when he started up, exclaiming in very 
good Gascon, ^' Blood and thunder ! you blockhead, 
you deserve to be thrown over the mosque ! ' ' 

Huon could not help laughing to see the vivacity 
and the language of his country thus break out un- 
awares. The host, w^ho had no idea that his guests 
understood his words, was astonished when Huon 
addressed him in the dialect of his country. Im- 
mediately confidence was established between them ; 
especially when the domestics had retired. The host, 
seeing that he was discovered, and that the two pre- 
tended Saracens were from the borders of the Ga- 
ronne, embraced them, and disclosed that he was a 
Christian. Huon, w^ho had learned prudence from the 
advice of Oberon, to test his host's sincerity, drew 
from his robe the cup which the Fairy -king had given 
him, and presented it empty to the host. *^ A fair 
cup," said he, ^' but I should like it better if it was 
full." Immediately it was so. The host, astonished, 
dared not put it to his lips. ^^ Drink boldly, my dear 



228 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

fellow-countryman," said Huon ; *^ your truth is proved 
by this cup, which only fills itself in the hands of an 
honest man." The host did not hesitate longer ; the 
cup passed freely fi-om hand to hand ; their mutual 
cordiality increased as it passed, and each recounted 
his adventures. Those of Huon redoubled his host's 
respect ; for he recognized in him his legitimate sover- 
eign : while the host's narrative was in these w^ords : 

^* My name is Floriac ; this great and strong city, 
you will hear with surprise and grief, is governed by 
a brother of Duke Sevinus, and your uncle. You 
have no doubt heard that a young brother of the 
Duke of Guienne was stolen away from the sea-shore, 
with his companions, by some corsairs. I w^as then 
his page, and we were carried by those corsairs to 
Barbary, where we were sold for slaves. The Bar- 
bary prince sent us as part of the tribute which he 
yearly paid to his sovereign, the Sultan Gaudisso. 
Your uncle, who had been somewhat puffed up by 
the flattery of his attendants, thought to increase his 
importance with his new master by telling him his 
rank. The Sultan, who, like a true Mussulman, de- 
tested all Christian princqs, exerted himself from that 
moment to bring him over to the Saracen faith. He 
succeeded but too well. Your uncle, seduced by the 
arts of the Santons, and by the pleasures and indul- 
gences which the Sultan allowed him, committed the 
horrid crime of apostasy ; he renounced his baptism, 
and embraced Mahometanism. Gaudisso then loaded 
him with honors, made him espouse one of his neices, 
and sent him to reign over this city and adjoining 
country. Your uncle preserved for me the same 
friendship which he had had when a boy ; but all 
his caresses and efforts could not make me renounce 



HUON OF BORDEAUX. 229 

my faith. Perhaps he respected me in his heart for 
my resistance to his persuasions, perhaps he had hopes 
of inducing me in time to imitate him. He made me 
accompany him to this city, of which he was master, 
he gave me his confidence, and permits me to keep in 
my service some Christians, whom I protect for the 
sake of their faith." 

^^ Ah ! " exclaimed Huon, ^'take me to this guilty 
uncle, A prince of the house of Guienne, must he 
not blush at the cowardly abandonment of the faith 
of his fathers r " 

*^ Alas ! " replied Floriac, ^^ I fear he will neither be 
sensible of shame at your reproaches, nor of pleasure 
at the sight of a nephew so worthy of his Hneage. 
Brutified by sensuahty, jealous of his power, which he 
often exercises with cruelty, he will more probably re- 
strain you by force or put you to death." 

^' Be it so," said the brave and fervent Huon, ^'I 
could not die in a better cause ; and I demand of you 
to conduct me to him to-morrow, after having told him 
of my arrival and my birth." Floriac still objected, 
but Huon would take no denial, and he promised 
obedience. 

Next morning Floriac waited upon the Governor 
and told him of the arrival of his nephew, Huon of 
Bordeaux ; and of the intention of the prince to pre- 
sent himself at his court that very day. The Governor, 
surprised, did not immediately answer ; though he at 
once made up his mind what to do. He knew that 
Floriac loved Christians and the princes of his native 
land too well to aid in any treason to one of them ; 
he therefore feigned great pleasure at hearing of the 
arrival of the eldest born of his family at his court. He 
immediately sent Floriac to find him ; he caused his 



230 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

palace to be put in festal array, his divan to be assem- 
bled, and after giving some secret orders, w^ent him- 
self to meet his nephev^, whom he introduced under 
his proper name and title to all the great officers of his 
court. 

Huon burned v^ith indignation at seeing his uncle 
v^ith forehead encircled with a rich turban, surmounted 
with a crescent of precious stones. His natural can- 
dor made him receive with pain the embraces which 
the treacherous Governor lavished upon him. Mean- 
while the hope of finding a suitable moment to re- 
proach him for his apostasy made him submit to those 
honors which his uncle caused to be rendered to him. 
The Governor evaded with address the chance of be- 
ing alone with Huon and spent all the morning in 
taking him through his gardens and palace. At last, 
when the hour of dinner approached, and the Gov- 
ernor took him by the hand to lead him into the 
dining-hall, Huon seized the opportunity and said to 
him in a low voice, '^ O my uncle ! O Prince, brother 
of the Duke Sevinus ! in what condition have I the 
grief and shame of seeing you ! " The Governor 
pretended to be moved, pressed his hand, and whis- 
pered in his ear, ^^ Silence! my dear nephew; to- 
morrow morning I will hear you fully." 

Huon, comforted a little by these words, took his 
seat at the table by the side of the Governor. The 
Mufti, some Cadis, Agas, and Santons, filled the other 
places. Sherasmin sat down with them ; but Floriac, 
who would not lose sight of his guests, remained 
standing, and passed in and out to observe what was 
going on within the palace. He soon perceived a 
number of armed men gliding through the passages 
and antechambers connected with the dining-hall. He 



HUON OF BORDEAUX. 231 

was about to enter to give his guests notice of what 
he had seen when he heard a violent noise and com- 
motion in the hall. The cause was this. 

Huon and Sherasmin were well enough suited with 
the first course and ate with good appetite ; but the 
people of their country not being accustomed to drink 
only water at their meals, Huon and Sherasmin looked 
at one another, not very well pleased at such a regi- 
men. Huon laughed outright at the impatience of 
Sherasmin, but soon, experiencing the same want 
himself, he drew forth Oberon's cup and made the 
sign of the cross. The cup filled and he drank it off, 
and handed it to Sherasmin, who followed his exam- 
ple. The Governor and his officers, seeing this ab- 
horred sign, contracted their brows and sat in silent 
consternation. Huon pretended not to observe it, and 
having filled the cup again handed it to his uncle, 
saying, ^^ Pray join us, dear uncle; it is excellent 
Bordeaux wine, the drink that will be to you like 
mother's milk." The Governor, who often drank in 
secret with his own favorite Sultanas the wines of Greece 
and Shiraz, never in public drank anything but water. 
He had not for a long time tasted the excellent wines 
of his native land ; he was sorely tempted to drink 
what was now handed to him, it looked so bright in 
the cup, outshining the gold itself. He stretched 
forth his hand, took the brimming goblet, and raised 
it to his lips, when immediately it dried up and dis- 
appeared. Huon and Sherasmin, like Gascons as they 
were, laughed at his astonishment. ^* Christian dogs ! " 
he exclaimed, *' do you dare to insult me at my own 
table? But I will soon be revenged." At these 
words he threw the cup at the head of his nephew, who 
caught it with his left hand, while wath the other he 



232 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

snatched the turban, with its cresent, from the Gov- 
ernor's head and threw it on the floor. All the 
Saracens started up from table, with loud outcries, and 
prepared to avenge the insult. Huon and Sherasmin 
put themselves on their defence, and met with their 
swords the scimitars directed against them. At this 
moment the doors of the hall opened and a crowd of 
soldiers and armed eunuchs rushed in, who joined in 
the attack upon Huon and Sherasmin. The Prince 
and his followers took rehige on a broad shelf or side- 
board, where they kept at bay the crowd of assailants, 
making the most forward of them smart for their 
audacity. But more troops came pressing in and the 
brave Huon, inspired by the wine of Bordeaux, and 
not angry enough to lose his relish for a joke, blew a 
gentle note on his horn, and no sooner was it heard 
than it quelled the rage of the combatants and set them 
to dancing. Huon and Sherasmin, no longer attacked, 
looked down from their elevated position on a scene 
the most singular and amusing. Very soon the Sul- 
tanas, hearing the sound of the dance and finding their 
guards withdrawn, came into the hall and mixed with 
the dancers. The favorite Sultana seized upon a young 
Santon, who performed jumps two feet high ; but soon 
the long dresses of this couple got intermingled and 
threw them down. The Santon' s beard was caught 
in the Sultana's necklace, and they could not disentangle 
them. The Governor by no means approved this 
familiarity, and took two steps forward to get at the 
Santon, but he stumbled over a prostrate Dervise and 
measured his length on the floor. The dancing con- 
tinued till the strength of the performers was exhausted, 
and they fell, one after the other, and lay helpless. 
The Governor at length made signs to Huon that he 



HUON OF BORDEAUX. 233 

would yield everything if he would but allow him to 
rest. The bargain was ratified ; the Governor allowed 
Huon and Sherasmin to depart on their way, and 
even gave them a ring which would procure them safe 
passage through his country and access to the Sultan 
Gaudisso. The two friends hastened to avail them- 
selves of this favorable turn, and taking leave of Floriac, 
pursued their journey. 



HUON OF BORDEAUX. 

( Continued. ) 

Huon had seen many beauties at his mother's court, 
but his heart had never been touched with love. 
Honor had been his mistress, and in pursuit of that 
he had never found time to give a thought to softer 
cares. Strange that a heart so insensible should first 
be touched by something so unsubstantial as a dream ; 
but so it was. 

The day after the adventure with his uncle night 
overtook the travellers as they passed through a forest. 
A grotto offered them shelter from the night dews. 
The magic cup supplied their evening meal ; for such 
was its virtue that it afforded not only wine, but more 
solid fare when desired. Fatigue soon threw them 
into profound repose. Lulled by the murmur of the 
foliage, and breathing the fragrance of the flowers, 
Huon dreamed that a lady more beautiful than he had 
ever before seen hung over him and imprinted a kiss 
upon his lips. As he stretched out his arms to em- 
brace her a sudden gust of wind swept her away. 

Huon awoke in an agony of regret. A few 



2 34 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

moments sufficed to afford some consolation in show- 
ing him that what had passed was but a dream ; but 
his perplexity and sadness could not escape the notice 
of Sherasmin. Huon hesitated not to inform his faith- 
ful follower of the reason of his pensiveness ; and 
got nothing in return but his rallyings for allowing 
himself to be disturbed by such a cause. He recom- 
mended a draught from the fairy goblet, and Huon 
tried it with good effect. 

At early dawn they resumed their way. They 
travelled till high noon, but said little to one another. 
Huon was musing on his dream, and Sherasmin' s 
thoughts flew back to his early days on the banks of 
the flowery Garonne. 

On a sudden they were startled by the cry of dis- 
tress, and turning an angle of the wood, came where 
a knight hard pressed was fighting with a furious lion. 
The knight's horse lay dead, and it seemed as if an- 
other moment would end the combat, for terror and 
fatigue had quite disabled the knight for further resist- 
ance. He fell, and the lion's paw was raised over 
him, when a blow from Huon's sword turned the 
monster's rage upon a new enemy. His roar shook 
the forest, and he crouched in act to spring, when, 
with the rapidity of lightning, Huon plunged his sword 
into his side. He rolled over on the plain in the 
agonies of death. 

They raised the knight from the ground, and She- 
rasmin hastened to offer him a draught from the fairy 
cup. The wine sparkled to the brim, and the w^arrior 
put forth his lips to quaff it, but it shrunk away, and 
did not even wet his lips. He dashed the goblet an- 
grily on the ground, with an exclamation of resent- 
ment. This incident did not tend to make either party 



HUON OF BORDEAUX. 235 

more acceptable to the other ; and what followed was 
worse. For when Huon said, ^' Sir knight, thank 
God for your deliverance," — '^ Thank Mahomet, 
rather, yourself," said he, '^ for he has led you this 
day to render service to no less a personage than the 
Prince of Hyrcania." 

At the sound of this blasphemy Huon drew his 
sword and turned upon the miscreant, who, little dis- 
posed to encounter the prowess of which he had so 
lately seen proof, betook himself to flight. He ran to 
Huon's horse, and lightly vaulting on his back, 
clapped spurs to his side, and galloped out of sight. 

The adventure was vexatious, yet there was no 
remedy. The prince and Sherasmin continued their 
journey with the aid of the remaining horse as they 
best might. At length, as evening set in, they de- 
scried the pinnacles and towers of a great city full be- 
fore them, which they knew to be the famous city of 
Bagdad. 

They were well-nigh exhausted with fatigue when 
they arrived at its precincts, and in the darkness, not 
knowing what course to take, were glad to meet an 
aged woman, who, in reply to their inquiries, offered 
them such accommodations as her cottage could supply. 
They thankfully accepted the offer, and entered the 
low door. The good dame busily prepared the best 
fare her stores supplied, — milk, figs, and peaches, — 
deeply regretting that the bleak winds had nipped her 
almond-trees. 

Sir Huon thought he had never in his life tasted any 
fare so good. The old lady talked while her guests 
ate. She doubted not, she said, they had come to be 
present at the great feast in honor of the marriage of 
the Sultan's daughter, v/hich was to take place on the 



236 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

morrow. They asked who the bridegroom was to be, 
and the old lady answered, '^ The Prince of Hyr- 
cania," but added, *^ Our princess hates him, and 
would rather wed a dragon than him." **How know 
you that ? ' ' asked Huon ; and the dame informed 
him that she had it from the princess herself, who was 
her foster-child. Huon inquired the reason of the 
princess's aversion ; and the woman, pleased to find 
her chat excite so much interest, replied that it was all 
in consequence of a dream. *^ A dream ! " exclaimed 
Huon. ^^ Yes ! a dream. She dreamed that she was 
a hind, and that the Prince, as a hunter, was pursuing 
her, and had almost overtaken her, when a beautiful 
dwarf appeared in view, drawn in a golden car, having 
by his side a young man of yellow hair and fair com- 
plexion, like one from a foreign land. She dreamed 
that the car stopped where she stood, and that, having 
resumed her own form, she was about to ascend it, 
when suddenly it faded from her view, and with it the 
dwarf and the fair-haired youth. But from her heart 
that vision did not fade, and from that time her affi- 
anced bridegroom, the Hyrcanian prince, had become 
odious to her sight. Yet the Sultan, her father, by no 
means regarding such a cause as sufficient to prevent 
the marriage, had named the morrow as the time when 
it should be solemnized, in presence of his court and 
many princes of the neighboring countries, whom the 
fame of the princess's beauty and the bridegroom's 
splendor had brought to the scene." 

We may suppose this conversation woke a tumult of 
thoughts in the breast of Huon. Was it not clear that 
Providence led him on, and cleared the way for his 
happy success ? Sleep did not early visit the eyes of 
Huon that night ; but, with the sanguine temper of 



HUON OF BORDEAUX. 237 

youth, he indulged his fancy in imagining the sequel 
of his strange experience. 

The next day, which he could not but regard as the 
decisive day of his fate, he prepared to deliver the 
message of Charlemagne. Clad in his armor, fortified 
with his ivory horn and his ring, he reached the palace 
of Gaudisso when the guests were assembled at the 
banquet. As he approached the gate a voice called 
on all true behevers to enter ; and Huon, the brave 
and faithful Huon, in his impatience passed- in under 
that false pretension. He had no sooner passed the 
barrier than he felt ashamed of his baseness, and was 
overwhelmed with regret. To make amends for his 
fault he ran forward to the second gate, and cried to 
the porter, '^ Dog of a misbeHever, I command you in 
the name of Him who died on the cross, open to me ! " 
The points of a hundred weapons immediately opposed 
his passage. Huon then remembered for the first time 
the ring he had received from his uncle, the Governor. 
He produced it, and demanded to be led to the Sul- 
tan's presence. The officer of the guard recognized 
the ring, made a respectful obeisance, and allowed him 
free entrance. In the same way he passed the other 
doors to the rich saloon where the great Sultan was at 
dinner with his tributary princes. At sight of the 
ring the chief attendant led Huon to the head of the 
hall, and introduced him to the Sultan and his princes 
as the ambassador of Charlemagne. A seat was pro- 
vided for him near the royal party. 

The Prince of Hyrcania, the same whom Huon had 
rescued from the lion, and who was the destined 
bridegroom of the beautiful Clarimunda, sat on the 
Sultan's right hand, and the princess herself on his 
left. It chanced that Huon found himself near the 



238 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

seat of the princess, and hardly were the ceremonies 
of reception over before he made haste to fulfil the 
commands of Charlemagne by imprinting a kiss upon 
heT rosy lips, and after that a second, not by com- 
mand, but by good will. The Prince of Hyrcania cried 
out, ^* Audacious infidel ! take the reward of thy in- 
solence ! ' ' and aimed a blow at Huon, which, if it 
had reached him, would have brought his embassy to 
a speedy termination. But the ingrate failed of his 
aim, and Huon punished his blasphemy and ingratitude 
at once by a blow which severed his head from his 
body. 

So suddenly had all this happened that no hand had 
been raised to arrest it ; but now Gaudisso cried out, 
^^ Seize the murderer ! " Huon was hemmed in on all 
sides, but his redoubtable sword kept the crowd of 
courtiers at bay. But he saw new combatants enter, 
and could not hope to maintain his ground against so 
many. He recollected his horn, and raising it to his 
lips, blew a blast almost as loud as that of Roland at 
Roncesvalles. It was in vain. Oberon heard it ; but 
the sin of which Huon had been guilty in bearing, 
though but for a moment, the character of a believer 
in the false prophet, had put it out of Oberon 's power 
to help him. Huon, finding himself deserted, and 
conscious of the cause, lost his strength and energy, 
was seized, loaded with chains, and plunged into a 
dungeon. 

His life was spared for the time, merely that he 
might be reserved for a more painful death. The 
Sultan meant that, after being made to feel all the 
torments of hunger and despair, he should be flayed 
alive. 

But an enchanter more ancient and more powerful 



HUON OF BORDEAUX. 239 

t-hari Oberon himself interested himself for the brave 
Haon. The enchanter was Love. The Princess 
Clarimunda learned with horror the fate to which the 
voung prince was destined. By the aid of her gov- 
ernante she gained over the keeper of the prison, and 
went herself to lighten the chains of her beloved. It 
was her hand that removed his fetters, from her he 
received sappHes of food to sustain a life which he de- 
voted from thenceforth wholly to her. After the most 
tender explanations the princess departed, promising to 
repeat her visit on the morrow. 

The next day she came according to promise, and 
again brought supphes o( food. These visits were con- 
tinued during a whole month. Huon was too good 
a son of the Church to forget that the amiable prin- 
cess was a Saracen, and he availed himself of these 
interviews to instruct her in the true faith. How 
easy it is to beHeve the truth when uttered by the lips 
of those we love ! Clarimunda erelong professed her 
entire belief in the Christian doctrines, and desired to 
be baptized. 

Meanwhile the Sultan had repeatedly inquired of 
the jailer how his prisoner bore the pains of famine, 
and learned to his surprise that he was not yet much 
reduced thereby. On his repeating the inquiry, after 
a short interval, the keeper replied that the prisoner 
had died suddenly, and had been buried in the cavern. 
The Sultan could only regret that he had not sooner 
ordered the execution of the sentence. 

While these things were going on. the faithful She- 
rasmin, who had not accompanied Huon in his last 
adventure, but had learned by common rumor the re- 
sult of it, came to the court in hopes of doing some- 
thing for the rescue of his master. He presented him- 



240 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

self to the Sultan as Solario, his nephew. Gaudisso 
received him with kindness, and all the courtiers loaded 
him with attentions. He soon found means to inform 
himself how the Princess regarded the brave but un- 
fortunate Huon, and having made himself known to 
her, confidence was soon established between them. 
Clarimunda readily consented to assist in the escape of 
Huon, and to quit with him her father's court to re- 
pair to that of Charlemagne. Their united efforts had 
nearly perfected their arrangement, a vessel was se- 
cretly prepared, and all things in forwardness for the 
flight, when an unlooked-for obstacle presented itself. 
Huon himself positively refused to go leaving the 
orders of Charlemagne unexecuted. 

Sherasmin was in despair. Bitterly he complained 
of the fickleness and cruelty of Oberon in withdraw- 
ing his aid at the very crisis when it was most neces- 
sary. Earnestly he urged every argument to satisfy 
the prince that he had done enough for honor, and 
could not be held bound to achieve impossibilities. 
But all was of no avail, and he knew not which way 
to turn, when one of those events occurred which are 
so frequent under Turkish despotisms. A courier 
arrived at the court of the Sultan, bearing the ring of 
his sovereign, the mighty Agrapard, Caliph of Ara- 
bia, and bringing the bow-string for the neck of 
Gaudisso. No reason was assigned ; none but the 
pleasure of the Cahph is ever required in such cases ; 
but it was suspected that the bearer of the bow-string 
had persuaded the Caliph that Gaudisso, whose ra- 
pacity was well known, had accumulated immense 
treasures, which he had not duly shared with his 
sovereign, and thus had obtained an order to super- 
sede him in his Emirship. 



HUON OF BORDEAUX. 241 

The body of Gaudisso would have been cast out a 
prey to dogs and vultures, had not Sherasmin, under 
the character of nephew of the deceased, been permit- 
ted to receive it, and give it decent burial, which he 
did, but not till he had taken possession of the beard 
and grinders, agreeably to the orders of Charlemagne. 

No obstacle now stood in the way of the lovers and 
their faithful follower in returning to France. They 
sailed, taking Rome in their way, where the Holy 
Father himself blessed the union of his nephew, Duke 
Huon of Bordeaux, with the Princess Clarimunda. 

Soon afterward they arrived in France, where Huon 
laid his trophies at the feet of Charlemagne, and, being 
restored to the favor of the Emperor, hastened to pre- 
sent himself and his bride to the Duchess, his mother, 
and to the faithful liegemen of his province of Guienne 
and his city of Bordeaux, where the pair were received 
with transports of joy. 



OGIER, THE DANE. 

Ogier, the Dane, was the son of GeoiFroy, who 
wrested Denmark from the Pagans, and reigned the 
first Christian king of that country. When Ogier was 
born, and before he was baptized, six ladies of ravish- 
ing beauty appeared all at once in the chamber of the 
infant. They encircled him, and she who appeared 
the eldest took him in her arms, kissed him, and laid 
her hand upon his heart. '^ I give you," said she, 
^^to be the bravest warrior of your times." She 
delivered the infant to her sister, who said, ^* I give 
you abundant opportunities to display your valor." 
^'Sister," said the third lady, ^*^you have given him a 



242 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

dangerous boon ; I give him that he shall never be 
vanquished." The fourth sister added, as she laid her 
hand upon his eyes and his mouth, ^* I give you the gift 
of pleasing." The fifth said, *' Lest all these gifts serve 
only to betray, I give you sensibility to return the love 
you inspire." Then spoke Morgana, the youngest 
and handsomest of the group, ^' Charming creature, I 
claim you for my ow^n ; and I give you not to die till 
you shall have come to pay me a visit in my isle of 
Avalon. ' ' Then she kissed the child and departed with 
her sisters. 

After this the king had the child carried to the font 
and baptized v^ith the name of Ogier. 

In his education nothing v^as neglected to elevate 
him to the standard of a perfect knight, and render 
him accomplished in all the arts necessary to make him 
a hero. 

He had hardly reached the age of sixteen years 
v^hen Charlemagne, whose power was established over 
all the sovereigns of his time, recollected that GeoiFroy, 
Ogier 's father, had omitted to render the homage due 
to him as Emperor, and sovereign lord of Denmark, 
one of the grand fiefs of the empire. He accordingly 
sent an embassy to demand of the king of Denmark 
this homage, and on receiving a refusal, couched in 
haughty terms, sent an army to enforce the demand. 
Geoffroy, after an unsuccessful resistance, was forced 
to comply, and as a pledge of his sincerity delivered 
Ogier, his eldest son, a hostage to Charles, to be 
brought up at his court. He was placed in charge of 
the Duke Namo of Bavaria, the friend of his father,, 
who treated him like his own son. 

Ogier grew up more and more handsome and ami- 
able every day. He surpassed in form, strength, and 



OGIER, THE DANE. 243 

address all the noble youths his companions ; he failed 
not to be present at all tourneys ; he was attentive to 
the elder knights, and burned with impatience to 
imitate them. Yet his heart rose sometimes in secret 
against his condition as a hostage, and as one apparently 
forgotten by his father. 

The King of Denmark, in fact, was at this time 
occupied with new loves. Ogier's mother having died, 
he had married a second wife, and had a son named 
Guyon. The new queen had absolute power over 
her husband, and fearing that, if he should see Ogier 
again, he would give him the preference over Guyon, 
she had adroitly persuaded him to delay rendering his 
homage to Charlemagne, till now four years had passed 
away since the last renewal of that ceremony. Charle- 
magne, irritated at this delinquency, drew closer the 
bonds of Ogier' s captivity until he should receive a 
response from the king of Denmark to a fresh summons 
which he caused to be sent to him. 

The answer of GeofFroy was insulting and defiant, 
and the rage of Charlemagne was roused in the highest 
degree. He was at first disposed to wreak his ven- 
geance upon Ogier, his hostage ; but at the entreaties of 
Duke Namo, who felt towards his pupil like a father, 
consented to spare his life, if Ogier would swear fidel- 
ity to him as his liege-lord, and promise not to quit his 
court without his permission. Ogier accepted these 
terms, and was allowed to retain all the freedom he 
had before enjoyed. 

The Emperor would have immediately taken arms 
to reduce his disobedient vassal, if he had not been 
called off in another direction by a message from Pope 
Leo, imploring his assistance. The Saracens had 
landed in the neighborhood of Rome, occupied Mount 



244 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

Janiculum, and prepared to pass the Tiber and carry 
fire and sword to the capital of the Christian world. 
Charlemagne hesitated not to yield to the entreaties of 
the Pope. He speedily assembled an army, crossed 
the Alps, traversed Italy, and arrived at Spoleto, a 
strong place to which the Pope had retired. Leo, 
at the head of his Cardinals, advanced to meet him, 
and rendered him homage, as to the son of Pepin, 
the illustrious protector of the Holy See, coming, as 
his father had done, to defend it in the hour of need. 

Charlemagne stopped but two days at Spoleto, and 
learning that the Infidels, having rendered themselves 
masters of Rome, were besieging the Capitol, w^hich 
could not long hold out against them, marched promptly 
to attack them. 

The advanced posts of the army were commanded 
by Duke Namo, on whom Ogier waited as his squire. 
He did not yet bear arms, not having received the 
order of knighthood. The Oriflamme, the royal 
standard, was borne by a knight named Alory, who 
showed himself unworthy of the honor. 

Duke Namo, seeing a strong body of the Infidels 
advancing to attack him, gave the word to charge them. 
Ogier remained in the rear, with the other youths, 
grieving much that he was not permitted to fight. 
Very soon he saw Alory lower the Oriflamme, and 
turn his horse in flight. Ogier pointed him out to the 
young men, and seizing a club, rushed upon Alory 
and struck him from his horse. Then, with his com- 
panions, he disarmed him, clothed himself in his armor, 
raised the Oriflamme, and mounting the horse of the 
unworthy knight, flew to the front rank, where he 
joined Duke Namo, drove back the Infidels, and carried 
the Oriflamme quite through their broken ranks. The 



OGIER, THE DANE. 245 

Duke, thinking it was Alory, whom he had not held 
in high esteem, was astonished at his strength and valor. 
Ogier's young companions imitated him, supplying 
themselves with armor from the bodies of the slain ; 
they followed Ogier and carried death into the ranks 
of the Saracens, who fell back in confusion upon their 
main body. 

Duke Namo now ordered a retreat, and Ogier 
obeyed with reluctance, when they perceived Charle- 
magne advancing to their assistance. The combat now 
became general, and was more terrible than ever. 
Charlemagne had overthrown Corsuble, the com- 
mander of the Saracens, and had drawn his famous 
sword, Joyeuse, to cut off his head, when two Saracen 
knights set upon him at once, one of whom slew his 
horse, and the other overthrew the Emperor on the 
sand. Perceiving by the eagle on his casque who he 
was, they dismounted in haste to give him his death- 
blow. Never was the life of the Emperor in such 
peril. But Ogier, who saw him fall, flew to his 
rescue. Though embarrassed with the Oriflamme, he 
pushed his horse against one of the Saracens and knocked 
him down ; and with his sword dealt the other so 
vigorous a blow that he fell stunned to the earth. 
Then helping the Emperor to rise, he remounted him 
on the horse of one of the fallen knights. '' Brave and 
generous Alory ! " Charles exclaimed, ^^ I owe to you 
my honor and my Hfe ! " Ogier made no answer ; 
but, leaving Charlemagne surrounded by a great many 
of the knights who had flown to his succor, he plunged 
into the thickest ranks of the enemy, and carried the 
Oriflamme, followed by a gallant train of youthful war- 
riors, till the standard of Mahomet turned in retreat, 
and the Infidels sought safety in their intrenchments. 



246 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

Then the good Archbishop Turpin laid aside his 
helmet and his bloody sword (for he always felt that 
he was clearly in the hne of his duty while slaying 
Infidels), took his mitre and his crosier, and intoned 
Te Deum. 

At this moment Ogier, covered with blood and 
dust, came to lay the Oriflamme at the feet of the Em- 
peror. He was followed by a train of warriors of 
short stature, who walked ill at ease loaded with ar- 
mor too heavy for them. Ogier knelt at the feet of 
Charlemagne, who embraced him, calling him Alory, 
while Turpin from the height of the altar, blessed him 
with all his might. Then young Orlando, son of the 
Count Milone, and nephew of Charlemagne, no longer 
able to endure this misapprehension, threw down his 
helmet, and ran to unlace Ogier 's, while the other 
young men laid aside theirs. Our author says he can- 
not express the surprise, the admiration, and the ten- 
derness of the Emperor and his peers. Charles folded 
Ogier in his arnft, and the happy fathers of those brave 
youths embraced them with tears of joy. The good 
Duke Namo stepped forward, and Charlemagne yielded 
Ogier to his embrace. ^ ' How much do I owe you, ' ' 
he said, *'good and wise friend, for having restrained 
my anger ! My dear Ogier ! I owe you my life ! 
My sword leaps to touch your shoulder, yours and 
those of your brave young friends." At these words 
he drew that famous sword, Joyeuse, and while Ogier 
and the rest knelt before him, gave them the accolade 
conferring on them the order of knighthood. The young 
Orlando and his cousin Oliver could not refrain, even 
in the presence of the Emperor, from falling upon 
Ogier's neck, and pledging with him that brotherhood 
in arms, so dear and so sacred to the knights of old 



OGIER, THE DANE. 247 

times ; but Chariot, the Emperor's son, at the sight 
of the glory with which Ogier had covered himself, 
conceived the blackest jealousy and hate. 

The rest of the day and the next were spent in the 
rejoicings of the army. Turpin in a solemn service 
implored the favor of Heaven upon the youthful knights, 
and blessed the white armor which was prepared for 
them. Duke Namo presented them with golden spurs, 
Charles himself girded on their swords. But what 
was his astonishment when he examined that intended 
for Ogier ! The loving Fairy, Morgana, had had the 
art to change it, and to substitute one of her own pro- 
curing, and when Charles drew it out of the scabbard, 
these words appeared written on the steel : '^ My 
name is Cortana, of the same steel and temper as Joy- 
euse and Durindana." Charles saw that a superior 
power watched over the destinies of Ogier ; he vowed 
to love him as a father would, and Ogier promised him 
the devotion of a son. Happy had it been for both if 
they had always continued mindful of their promises. 

The Saracen army had hardly recovered from its 
dismay when Carahue, King of Mauritania, who was 
one of the knights overthrown by Ogier at the time of 
the rescue of Charlemagne, determined to challenge 
him to single combat. With that view he assumed 
the dress of a herald, resolved to carry his own mes- 
sage. The French knights admired his air, and said 
to one another that he seemed more fit to be a knight 
than a bearer of messages. 

Carahue began by passing the warmest eulogium 
upon the knight who bore the Oriflamme on the day of 
the battle, and concluded by saying that Carahue, King 
of Mauritania, respected that knight so much that he 
challenged him to the combat. 



248 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

Ogier had risen to reply, when he was interrupted 
by Chariot, who said that the gage of the King of 
Mauritania could not fitly be received by a vassal, liv- 
ing in captivity ; by which he meant Ogier, who was at 
that time serving as hostage for his father. Fire flashed 
from the eyes of Ogier, but the presence of the Em- 
peror restrained his speech, and he was calmed by the 
kind looks of Charlemagne, who said, with an angry 
voice, ^' Silence, Chariot ! By the hfe of Bertha, my 
queen, he who has saved my life is as dear to me as 
yourself. Ogier," he continued, ^^ you are no 
longer a hostage. Herald ! report my answer to your 
master, that never does knight of my court refuse a 
challenge on equal terms. Ogier, the Dane, accepts 
of his, and I myself am his security." 

Carahue, profoundly bowing, replied, ^^ My lord, I 
was sure that the sentiments of so great a sovereign as 
yourself would be worthy of your high and brilliant 
fame ; I shall report your answer to my master, who 
I know admires you, and unwillingly takes arms against 
you." Then, turning to Chariot, whom he did not 
know as the son of the Emperor, he continued, ^^ As 
for you. Sir Knight, if the desire of battle inflames you, 
I have it in charge from Sadon, cousin of the King of 
Mauritania, to give the like defiance to any French 
knights who will grant him the honor of the combat." 

Chariot, inflamed with rage and vexation at the 
public reproof which he had just received, hesitated 
not to deliver his gage. Carahue received it with 
Ogier' s, and it was agreed that the combat should be 
on the next day in a meadow environed by woods 
and equally distant from both armies. 

The perfidious Chariot meditated the blackest trea- 
son. During the night he collected some knights un- 



OGIER, THE DANE. 249 

worthy of the name, and like himself in their ferocious 
manners ; he made them swear to avenge his injuries, 
armed them in black armor, and sent them to lie in 
ambush in the wood, with orders to make a pre- 
tended attack upon the whole party, but in fact, to lay 
heavy hands upon Ogier and the two Saracens. 

At the dawn of day Sadon and Carahue, attended 
only by two pages to carry their spears, took their way 
to the appointed meadow ; and Chariot and Ogier re- 
paired thither also, but by different paths. Ogier ad- 
vanced with a calm air, saluted courteously the two 
Saracen knights, and joined them in arranging the 
terms of combat. 

While this was going on the perfidious Chariot re- 
mained behind and gave his men the signal to advance. 
That cowardly troop issued from the wood and en- 
compassed the three knights. All three were equally 
surprised at the attack, but neither of them suspected 
the other to have any hand in the treason. Seeing the 
attack made equally upon them all, they united their 
efforts to resist it, and made the most forward of the 
assailants bite the dust. Cortana fell on no one with- 
out inflicting a mortal wound, but the sword of Cara- 
hue was not of equal temper and broke in his hands. 
At the same instant his horse was slain, and Carahue 
fell, without a weapon, and entangled with his prostrate 
horse. Ogier, who saw it, ran to his defence, and 
leaping to the ground covered the prince with his shield, 
supplied him with the sword of one of the fallen 
ruffians, and would have him mount his own horse. 
At that moment Chariot, inflamed with rage, pushed 
his horse upon Ogier, knocked him down, and would 
have run him through with his lance if Sadon, who 
saw the treason, had not sprung upon him and thrust 



250 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

him back. Carahue leapt lightly upon the horse which 
Ogier presented him, and had time only to exclaim, 
** Brave Ogier, I am no longer your enemy, I pledge 
to you an eternal friendship," when numerous Saracen 
knights were seen approaching, having discovered the 
treachery, and Chariot with his followers took refuge 
in the wood. 

The troop which advanced was commanded by 
Dannemont, the exiled king of Denmark, whom Geof- 
froy, Ogier' s father, had driven from his throne and 
compelled to take refuge with the Saracens. Learning 
who Ogier was, he instantly declared him his prisoner, 
in spite of the urgent remonstrances and even threats 
of Carahue and Sadon, and carried him under a strong 
guard to the Saracen camp. Here he was at first sub- 
jected to the most rigorous captivity, but Carahue and 
Sadon insisted so vehemently on his release, threaten- 
ing to turn their arms against their own party if it was 
not granted, while Dannemont as eagerly opposed the 
measure, that Corsuble, the Saracen commander, con- 
sented to a middle course, and allowed Ogier the 
freedom of his camp, upon his promise not to leave it 
without permission. 

Carahue was not satisfied with this partial conces- 
sion. He left the city 'next morning, proceeded to 
the camp of Charlemagne, and demanded to be led to 
the Emperor. When he reached his presence he dis- 
mounted from his horse, took off his helmet, drew his 
sword, and holding it by the blade presented it to 
Charlemagne as he knelt before him. 

*^ Illustrious prince," he said, ^^ behold before you 
the herald who brought the challenge to your knights 
from the King of Mauritania. The cowardly old 
King Dannemont has made the brave Ogier prisoner. 



OGIER, THE DANE. 25 1 

and has prevailed on our general to refuse to give him 
up. I come to make amends for this ungenerous 
conduct by yielding myself, Carahue, King of Mauri- 
tania, your prisoner." 

Charlemagne, w^ith all his peers, admired the mag- 
nanimity of Carahue ; he raised him, embraced him, 
and restored to him his sword. ^' Prince," said he, 
*^ your presence and the bright example you aiford my 
knights consoles me for the loss of Ogier. Would to 
God you might receive our holy faith, and be v^holly 
united with us." All the lords of the court, led by 
Duke Namo, paid their respects to the King of Mauri- 
tania. Chariot only failed to appear, fearing to be 
recognized as a traitor ; but the heart of Carahue was 
too noble to pierce that of Charlemagne by telling him 
the treachery of his son. 

Meanwhile the Saracen army was rent by discord. 
The troops of Carahue clamored against the com- 
mander-in-chief because their king was left in captivity. ' 
They even threatened to desert the cause and turn 
their arms against their allies. Charlemagne pressed 
the siege vigorously, till at length the Saracen leaders 
found themselves compelled to abandon the city 
and betake themselves to their ships. A truce was 
made ; Ogier was exchanged for Carahue, and the 
two friends embraced one another with vows of per- 
petual brotherhood. The Pope was reestabHshed in 
his dominions, and Italy being tranquil, Charlemagne 
returned with his peers and their followers to France, 



252 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

OGIER, THE DANE. 

( Continued. ) 

Charlemagne had not forgotten the offence of 
Geoffroy, the King of Denmark, in withholding hom- 
age, and now prepared to enforce submission. But at 
this crisis he was waited upon by an embassy from 
Geoffroy, acknowledging his fault, and craving assist- 
ance against an army of invaders who had attacked his 
states with a force which he was unable to repel. The 
soul of Charlemagne was too great to be implacable, 
and he took this opportunity to test that of Ogier, who 
had felt acutely the unkindness of his father, in leaving 
him, without regard or notice, fifteen years in captivity. 
Charles asked Ogier whether, in spite of his father's 
neglect, he was disposed to lead an army to his assist- 
ance. He replied, ^' A son can never be excused from 
► helping his father by any cause short of death." 
Charlemagne placed an army of a thousand knights 
under the command of Ogier, and great numbers 
more volunteered to march under so distinguished a 
leader. He flew ta the succor of his father, repelled 
the invaders, and drove them in confusion to their 
vessels. Ogier then hastened to the capital, but as he 
drew near the city he heard all the bells sounding a 
knell. He soon learned the cause ; it was the obse- 
quies of Geoffroy, the King. Ogier felt keenly the 
grief of not having been permitted to embrace his 
father once more, and to learn his latest commands ; 
but he found that his father had declared him heir to 
his throne. He hastened to the church where the 
body lay ; he knelt and bathed the lifeless form with 
his tears. At that moment a celestial light beamed all 



OGIER, THE DANE. 253 

around, and a voice of an angel said, '^ Ogier, leave 
thy crown to Guyon, thy brother, and bear no other 
title than that of ^ The Dane.' Thy destiny is glo- 
rious, and other kingdoms are reserved for thee." 
Ogier obeyed the divine behest. He saluted his step- 
mother respectfully, and embracing his brother, told 
him that he was content with his lot in being reckoned 
among the paladins of Charlemagne, and resigned all 
claims to the crown of Denmark. 

Ogier returned covered with glory to the court of 
Charlemagne, and the Emperor, touched with this 
proof of his attachment, loaded him with caresses, and 
treated him almost as an equal. 

We pass in silence the adventures of Ogier for sev- 
eral ensuing years, in which the fairy-gifts o^ his 
infancy showed their force in making him successful in 
all enterprises, both of love and war. He married the 
charming Belicene, and became the father of young 
Baldwin, a youth who seemed to inherit in full measure 
the strength and courage of his father and the beauty 
o{ his mother. When the lad was old enough to be 
separated from his mother, Ogier took him to court and 
presented him to Charlemagne, who embraced him and 
took him into his service. It seemed to Duke Namo, 
and all the elder knights, as if they saw in him Ogier 
himself, as he was when a youth ; and this resem- 
blance won for the lad their kind regards. Even 
Chariot at first seemed to be fond of him, though after 
a while the resemblance to Ogier which he noticed 
had the effect to excite his hatred. 

Baldwin was attentive to Chariot, and lost no occa- 
sion to be serviceable. The Prince loved to play 
chess, and Baldwin, who played well, often made a 
party, with him. 



254 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

One day Chariot was nettled at losing two pieces 
in succession ; he thought he could, by taking a piece 
from Baldwin, get some amends for his loss ; but 
Baldwin, seeing him fall into a trap which he had 
set for him, could not help a shght laugh, as he said, 
*' Check-mate." Chariot rose in a fury, seized the 
rich and heavy chess-board, and dashed it with all his 
strength on the head of Baldwin, who fell, and died 
where he fell. 

Frightened at his own crime, and fearing the ven- 
geance of the terrible Ogier, Chariot concealed himself 
in the interior of the palace. A young companion of 
Baldwin hastened and informed Ogier of the xvent. 
He ran to the chamber, and beheld the body of his 
child bathed in blood, and it could not be concealed 
from him that Chariot gave the blow. Transported 
with rage, Ogier sought Chariot through the palace, 
and Chariot, feeling safe nowhere else, took refuge in 
the hall of Charlemagne, where he seated himself at 
table with Duke Namo and Salomon, Duke of Brittany. 
Ogier, with sword drawn, followed him to the very 
table of the Emperor. When a cupbearer attempted 
to bar his way he struck the cup from his hand and 
dashed the contents in the Emperor's face. Charles 
rose in a passion, seized a knife, and would have 
plunged it into his breast, had not Salomon and another 
baron thrown themselves between, while Namo, who 
had retained his ancient influence over Ogier, drew him 
out of the room. Foreseeing the consequence of this 
violence, pitying Ogier, and in his heart excusing him, 
Namo hurried him away before the guards of the 
palace could arrest him, made him mount his horse, and 
leave Paris. 

Charlemagne called together his peers, and made 



OGIER, THE DANE. 255 

them take an oath to do all in their power to arrest 
Ogier, and bring him to condign punishment. Ogier 
on his part sent m.essages to the Emperor, offering to 
give himself up on condition that Chariot should be 
punished for his atrocious crime. The Emperor would 
listen to no conditions, and went in pursuit of Ogier 
at the head of a large body of soldiers. Ogier, on the 
other hand, was warmly supported by many knights, 
who pledged themselves in his defence. The contest 
raged long, with no decisive results. Ogier more 
than once had the Emperor in his power, but declined 
to avail himself of his advantage, and released him 
without conditions. He even implored pardon for 
himself, but demanded at the same time the punishment 
of Chariot. But Charlemagne was too blindly fond 
of his unworthy son to subject him to punishment for 
the sake of conciliating one who had been so deeply 
injured. 

At length, distressed at the blood which his friends 
had lost in his cause, Ogier dismissed his little army, 
and slipping away from those who wished to attend 
him, took his course to rejoin the Duke Guy on, his 
brother. On his way, having reached the forest of 
Ardennes, weary with long travel, the freshness of a 
retired valley tempted him. to lie down to take some 
repose. , He unsaddled Beiffror, relieved himself of his 
helmet, lay down on the turf, rested his head on his 
shield, and slept. 

It so happened that Turpin, who occasionally re- 
called to mind that he was Archbishop of Rheims, was 
at that time in the vicinity, making a pastoral visit to 
the churches under his jurisdiction. But his dignity of 
peer of France, and his martial spirit, which caused 
him to be reckoned among the '^ preux chevaliers " of 



256 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

his time, forbade him to travel without as large a reti- 
nue of knights as he had of clergymen. One of these 
was thirsty, and knowing the fountain on the borders 
of which Ogier was reposing, he rode to it, and was 
struck by the sight of a knight stretched on the ground. 
He hastened back, and let the Archbishop know, who 
approached the fountain, and recognized Ogier. 

The first impulse of the good and generous Turpin 
was to save his friend, for whom he felt the warmest 
attachment ; but his archdeacons and knights, who also 
recognized Ogier, reminded the Archbishop of the 
oath which the Emperor had exacted of them all. 
Turpin could not be false to his oath ; but it was not 
without a groan that he permitted his followers to bind 
the sleeping knight. The Archbishop's attendants 
secured the horse and arms of Ogier, and conducted 
their prisoner to the Emperor at Soissons. 

The Emperor had become so much embittered by 
Ogier' s obstinate resistance, added to his original fault, 
that he was disposed to order him to instant death. 
But Turpin, seconded by the good Dukes Namo and 
Salomon, prayed so hard for him that Charlemagne 
consented to remit a violent death, but sentenced him 
to close imprisonment, under the charge of the Arch- 
bishop, strictly limiting his food to one quarter of a 
loaf of bread per day, with one piece of meat, and a 
quarter of a cup of wine. In this way he hoped to 
quickly put an end to his life without bringing on him- 
self the hostility of the King of Denmark, and other 
powerful friends of Ogier. He exacted a new oath of 
Turpin to obey his orders strictly. 

The good Archbishop loved Ogier too well not to 
cast about for some means of saving his Hfe, which he 
foresaw he would soon lose if subjected to such scanty 



OGIER, THE DANE. 257 

fare, for Ogier was seven feet tall, and had an appetite 
in proportion. Turpin remembered, moreover, that 
Ogier was a true son of the Church, always zealous to 
propagate the faith and subdue unbelievers ; so he felt 
justified in practising on this occasion what in later times 
has been entitled ^^ mental reservation," without swerv- 
ing from the letter of the oath which he had taken. 
This is the method he hit upon. 

Every morning he had his prisoner supplied with a 
quarter of a loaf of bread, made of two bushels of 
flour, to this he added a quarter of a sheep or a fat 
calf, and he had a cup made which held forty pints of 
wine, and allowed Ogier a quarter of it daily. 

Ogier' s imprisonment lasted long ; Charlemagne was 
astonished to hear, from time to time, that he still held 
out ; and when he inquired more particularly of Tur- 
pin, the good Archbishop, relying on his own under- 
standing of the words, did not hesitate to affirm 
positively that he allowed his risoner no more than 
the permitted ration. 

We forgot to say that, when Ogier was led pris- 
oner to Soissons, the Abbot of Saint Faron, observing 
the fine horse Beiffror, and not having at the time any 
other favor to ask of Charlemagne, begged the Em- 
peror to give him the horse, and had him taken to his 
abbey. He was impatient to try his new acquisition, 
and when he had arrived in his fitter at the foot of the 
mountain where the horse had been brought to meet 
him mounted him and rode onward. The horse, ac- 
customed to bear the enormous weight of Ogier in his 
armor, when he perceived nothing on his back but the 
light weight of the Abbot, whose long robes fluttered 
against his sides, ran away, making prodigious leaps 
over the steep acclivities of the mountain till he reached 



258 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

the convent of Jouaire, where, in sight of the Abbess 
and her nuns, he threw the Abbot, already half dead 
with fright, to the ground. The Abbot, bruised and 
mortified, revenged himself on poor Beiffror, whom he 
condemned, in his wrath, to be given to the workmen 
to drag stones for a chapel that he was building near 
the abbey. Thus, ill-fed, hard-worked, and often 
beaten, the noble horse BeiiFror passed the time while 
his master's imprisonment lasted. 

That imprisonment would have been as long as his 
life if it had not been for some important events which 
forced the Emperor to set Ogier at liberty. 

The Emperor learned at the same time that Cara- 
hue. King of Mauritania, was assembling an army to 
come and demand^ the liberation of Ogier ; that 
Guyon, King of Denmark, was prepared to second 
the enterprise with all his forces ; and, worse than all, 
that the Saracens, under Bruhier, Sultan of Arabia, 
had landed in Gascony, taken Bordeaux, and were 
marching with all speed for Paris. 

Charlemagne now felt how necessary the aid of 
Ogier was to him. But, in spite of the representations 
of Turpin, Namo, and Salomon, he could not bring 
himself to consent to surrender Chariot to such punish- 
ment as Ogier should see fit to impose. Besides, he 
believed that Ogier was without strength and vigor, 
weakened by imprisonment and long abstinence. 

At this crisis he received a message from Bruhier, 
proposing to put the issue upon the result of a combat 
between himself and the Emperor or his champion ; 
promising, if defeated, to withdraw his army. Charle- 
magne would willingly have accepted the challenge, 
but his counsellors all opposed it. The herald was 
therefore told that the Emperor would take time to 



OGIER, THE DANE. 259 

consider his proposition, and give his answer the next 
day. 

It was during this interval that the three Dukes 
succeeded in prevaihng upon Charlemagne to pardon 
Ogier, and to send for him to combat the puissant 
enemy who now defied him ; but it was no easy task 
to persuade Ogier. The idea of his long imprison- 
ment and the recollection of his son, bleeding and 
dying in his arms by the blow of the ferocious Chariot, 
made him long resist the urgency of his friends. 
Though glory called him to encounter Bruhier, and 
the safety of Christendom demanded the destruction 
of this proud enemy of the faith, Ogier only yielded 
at last on condition that Chariot should be delivered 
into his hands to be dealt with as he should see fit. 

The terms were hard, but the danger was pressing, 
and Charlemagne, with a returning sense of justice, 
and a strong confidence in the generous though passion- 
ate soul of Ogier, at last consented to them. 

Ogier was led into the presence of Charlemagne 
by the three peers. The Emperor, faithfiil to his 
word, had caused Chariot to be brought into the hall 
where the high barons were assembled, his hands tied, 
and his head uncovered. When the Emperor saw 
Ogier approach he took Chariot by the arm, led him 
towards Ogier, and said these words: *^I surrender 
the criminal ; do with him as you think fit." Ogier, 
without replying, seized Chariot by the hair, forced 
him on his knees, and lifted with the other hand his 
irresistible sword. Charlemagne, who expected to 
see the head of his son rolling at his feet, shut his eyes 
and uttered a cry of horror. 

Ogier had done enough. The next moment he 
raised Chariot, cut his bonds, kissed him on the 



26o LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

mouth, and hastened to throw himself at the feet of 
the Emperor. 

Nothing can exceed the surprise and py of Charle- 
magne at seeing his son unharmed and Ogier kneeling 
at his feet. He folded him in his arms, bathed him 
with tears, and exclaimed to his barons, ^' I feel at 
this moment that Ogier is greater than I." As for 
Chariot, his base soul felt nothing but the joy of having 
escaped death ; he remained such as he had been, and 
it was not till some years afterwards he received the 
punishment he deserved, from the hands of Huon of 
Bordeaux, as we have seen in a former chapter. 



OGIER, THE DANE. 

( Continued, ) 

When Charlemagne had somewhat recovered his 
composure he was surprised to observe that Ogier 
appeared in good case, and had a healthy color in his 
cheeks. He turned to the Archbishop, who could 
not help blushing as he met his eye. ''By the head 
of Bertha, my queen," said Charlemagne, ''Ogier 
has had good quarters in your castle, my Lord Arch- 
bishop ; but so much the more am I indebted to you." 
All the barons laughed and jested with Turpin, who 
only said, "Laugh as much as you please, my lords ; 
but for my part I am not sorry to see the arm in full 
vigor that is to avenge us on the proud Saracen." 

Charlemagne immediately despatched his herald, ac- 
cepting the challenge, and appointing the next day but 
one for the encounter. The proud and crafty Bruhier 



OGIER, THE DANE. 261 

laughed scornfully when he heard the reply accepting 
his challenge, for he had a rehance on certain resources 
besides his natural strength and skill. However, he 
swore by Mahomet to observe the conditions as pro- 
posed and agreed upon. 

Ogier now demanded his armor, and it was brought 
to him in excellent condition, for the good Turpin had 
kept it faithfully ; but it was not easy to provide a 
horse for the occasion. Charlemagne had the best 
horses of his stables brought out, except Blanchard, his 
own charger ; but all in vain, the weight of Ogier 
bent their backs to the ground. In this embarrass- 
ment the Archbishop remembered that the Emperor 
had given Beiffror to the Abbot of St. Faron, and sent 
off a courier in haste to re-demand him. 

Monks are hard masters, and the one who directed 
the laborers at the abbey had but too faithfully obeyed 
the orders of the Abbot. Poor Beiffror was brought 
back, lean, spiritless, and chafed with the harness of 
the vile cart that he had had to draw so long. He carried 
his head down, and trod heavily before Charlemagne ; 
but when he heard the voice of Ogier he raised his 
head, he neighed, his eyes flashed, his former ardor 
showed itself by the force with which he pawed the 
ground. Ogier caressed him, and the good steed 
seemed to return his caresses ; Ogier mounted him, 
and BeiiFror, proud of carrying his master again, leapt 
and curvetted with all his youthful vigor. 

Nothing being now wanted, Charlemagne, at the 
head of his army, marched forth from the city of Paris, 
and occupied the hill of Montmartre, whence the 
view extended over the plain of St. Denis, where the 
battle was to be fought. 

When the appointed day came the Dukes Namo 



262 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

and Salomon, as seconds of Ogier, accompanied him 
to the place marked out for the lists, and Bruhier, 
with two distinguished Emirs, presented himself on the 
other side. 

Bruhier was in high spirits, and jested with his 
friends, as he advanced, upon the appearance of Beif- 
fror. ^^ Is that the horse they presume to match with 
Marchevallee, the best steed that ever fed in the vales 
of Mount Atlas ? " But now the combatants, having 
met and saluted each other, ride apart to come to- 
gether in full career. Beiifror flew over the plain, and 
met the adversary more than half-way. The lances 
of the two combatants were shivered at the shock, and 
Bruhier was astonished to see almost at the same 
instant the sword of Ogier gleaming above his head. 
He parried it with his buckler, and gave Ogier a blow 
on his helmet, who returned it with another, better 
aimed or better seconded by the temper of his blade, 
for it cut away part of Bruhier' s helmet, and with it 
his ear and part of his cheek. Ogier^ seeing the 
blood, did not immediately repeat his blow, and Bru- 
hier seized the moment to gallop off at one side. As 
he rode he took a vase of gold which hung at his 
saddle-bow, and bathed with its contents the wounded 
part. The blood instantly ceased to flow, the ear and 
the flesh were restored quite whole, and the Dane 
was astonished to see his antagonist return to the 
ground as sound as ever. 

Bruhier laughed at his amazement. ^^Know," 
said he, ^' that I possess the precious balm that Joseph 
of Arimathea used upon the body of the crucified one, 
whom you worship. If I should lose an arm I could 
restore it with a few drops of this. It is useless for 
you to contend with me. Yield yourself, and, as you 



OGIER, THE DANE. ' 263 

appear to be a strong fellow, I will make you first 
oarsman in one of my galleys." 

Ogier, though boiling with rage, forgot not to im- 
plore the assistance of Heaven. '' O Lord ! " he ex- 
claimed, ^' suffer not the enemy of thy name to profit 
by the powerful help of that which owes all its virtue 
to thy divine blood." At these words he attacked 
Bruhier again with more vigor than ever ; both struck 
terrible blows, and made grievous wounds ; but the 
blood flowed from those of Ogier, while Bruhier 
stanched his by the application of his balm. Ogier, 
desperate at the unequal contest, grasped Cortana with . 
both hands, and struck his enemy such a blow that it 
cleft his buckler, and cut off his arm with it ; but 
Bruhier at the same time launched one at Ogier, 
which, missing him, struck the head of Beiffror, and 
the good horse fell, and drew down his master in his 
fall. 

Bruhier had time to leap to the ground, to pick up 
his arm and apply his balsam ; then, before Ogier 
had recovered his footing, he rushed forward with 
sword uplifted to complete his destruction. 

Charlemagne, from the height of Montmartre, see- 
ing the brave Ogier in this situation, groaned, and was 
ready to murmur against Providence ; but the good 
Turpin, raising his arms, with a faith like that of 
Moses, drew down upon the Christian warrior the 
favor of Heaven. 

Ogier, promptly disengaging himself, pressed Bruhier 
with so much impetuosity that he drove him to a 
distance from his horse, to whose saddle-bow the 
precious balm was suspended ; and very soon Charle- 
magne saw Ogier, now completely in the advantage, 
bring his enemy to his knees, tear off his helmet, and. 



264 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

with a sweep of his sword, strike his head from his 
body. 

After the victory, Ogier seized Marchevallee, leaped 
upon his back, and became possessed of the precious 
flask, a few drops from which closed his wounds and 
restored his strength. The French knights who had 
been Bruhier's captives, now released, pressed round 
Ogier to thank him for their deliverance. 

Charlemagne and his nobles, as soon as their atten- 
tion was relieved from the single combat, perceived 
from their elevated position an unusual agitation in the 
enemy's camp. They attributed it at first to the death 
of their general, but soon the noise of arms, the cries 
of combatants, and new standards which advanced, dis- 
closed to them the fact that Bruhier's army was 
attacked by a new enemy. 

The Emperor was right ; it was the brave Carahue 
of Mauritania, who, with an army, had arrived in 
France, resolved to attempt the hberation of Ogier, his 
brother in arms. Learning on his arrival the changed 
aspect of affairs, he hesitated not to render a signal ser- 
vice to the Emperor, by attacking the army of Bruhier 
in the midst of the consternation occasioned by the 
loss of its commander. 

Ogier recognized the standard of his friend, and 
leaping upon Marchevallee, flew to aid his attack. 
Charlemagne followed with his army ; and the Saracen 
host, after an obstinate conflict, was forced to surrender 
unconditionally. 

The interview of Ogier and Carahue was such as 
might be anticipated of two such attached friends and 
accomplished knights. Charlemagne went to meet 
them, embraced them, and putting the King of Mauri- 
tania on his right and Ogier on his left, returned with 



OGIER, THE DANE. 265 

triumph to Paris. There the Empress Bertha and the 
ladies of her court crowned them with laurels, and the 
sage and gallant Eginhard, chamberlain and secretary 
of the Emperor, wrote all these great events in his 
history. 

A few days after Guyon, Kjng of Denmark, arrived 
in France with a chosen band of knights, and sent an 
ambassador to Charlemagne, to say that he came, not 
as an enemy, but to render homage to him as the best 
knight of the time and the head of the Christian world. 
Charlemagne gave the ambassador a cordial reception, 
and mounting his horse, rode forward to meet the 
King of Denmark. 

These great princes, being assembled at the court 
of Charles, held council together, and the ancient and 
sage barons were called to join it. 

It was decided that the united Danish and Mauri- 
tanian armies should cross the sea and carry the war to 
the country of the Saracens, and that a thousand 
French knights should range themselves under the ban- 
ner of Ogier, the Dane, who, though not a king, 
should have equal rank with the two others. 

We have not space to record all the illustrious 
actions performed by Ogier and his allies in this war. 
Suffice it to say, they subdued the Saracens of Ptole- 
mais and Judaea, and, erecting those regions into a 
kingdom, placed the crown upon the head of Ogier. 
Guyon and Carahue then left him, to return to their 
respective dominions. Ogier adopted Walter, the son 
of Guyon of Denmark, to be his successor in his 
kingdom. He superintended his education, and saw 
the young prince grow up worthy of his cares. But 
Ogier, in spite of all the honors of his rank, often 
regretted the court of Charlemagne, the Duke Namo, 



266 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

and Salomon of Brittany, for whom he had the re- 
spect and attachment of a son. At last, finding 
Walter old enough to sustain the weight of govern- 
ment, Ogier caused a vessel to be prepared secretly, 
and, attended only by one squire, left his palace by 
night, and embarked to return to France. 

The vessel, driven by a fair wind, cut the sea with 
the swiftness of a bird ; but on a sudden it deviated 
from its course, no longer obeyed the helm, and sped 
fast towards a black promontory which stretched into 
the sea. This was a mountain of loadstone, and, its 
attractive power increasing as the distance diminished, 
the vessel at last flew with the swiftness of an arrow 
towards it, and was dashed to pieces on its rocky base. 
Ogier alone saved himself, and reached the shore on a 
fragment of the wreck. 

Ogier advanced into the country, looking for some 
marks of inhabitancy, but found none. On a sudden 
he encountered two monstrous animals, covered with 
ghttering scales, accompanied by a horse breathing 
fire. Ogier drew his sword and prepared to defend 
himself; but the monsters, terrific as they appeared, 
made no attempt to assail him, and the horse, Papillon, 
knelt down, and appeared to court Ogier to mount 
upon his back. Ogier hesitated not to see the advent- 
ure through ; he mounted Papillon, who ran with 
speed, and soon cleared the rocks and precipices which 
hemmed in and concealed a beautiful landscape. He 
continued his course till he reached a magnificent pal- 
ace, and, without allowing Ogier time to admire it, 
crossed a grand court-yard adorned with colonnades, 
and entered a garden, where, making his way through 
alleys of myrtle, he checked his course, and knelt 
down on the enamelled turf of a fountain. 



OGIER, THE DANE. 267 

Ogier dismounted and took some steps along the 
margin of the stream, but was soon stopped by meet- 
ing a young beauty, such as they paint the Graces, 
.and almost as lightly attired as they. x*\t the same 
moment, to his amazement, his armor fell off of its 
own accord. The young beauty advanced with a 
tender air, and placed upon his head a crown of 
flowers. At that instant the Danish hero lost his 
memory ; his combats, his glory, Charlemagne and his 
court, all vanished from his mind ; he saw only Mor- 
gana, he desired nothing but to sigh forever at her feet. 

We abridge the narrative of all the delights which 
Ogier enjoyed for more than a hundred years. Time 
flew by, leaving no impression of its flight. Morgana 's 
youthful charms did not decay, and Ogier had none 
of those warnings of increasing years which less favored 
mortals never fail to receive. There is no know^ing 
how long this blissful state might have lasted, if it had 
not been for an accident, by which Morgana one day, 
in a sportive moment, snatched the crown fl-om his 
head. That moment Ogier regained his memory, 
and lost his contentment. The recollection of Charle- 
magne, and of his own relatives and friends, saddened 
the hours which he passed with Morgana. The fairy 
saw with grief the changed looks of her lover. At 
last she drew from him the acknowledgment that he 
wished to go, at least for a time, to revisit Charles's 
court. She consented with reluctance, and with her 
own hands helped to reinvest him with his armor. 
Papillon was led forth, Ogier mounted him, and, 
taking a tender adieu of the tearful Morgana, crossed 
at rapid speed the rocky belt which separated Mor- 
gana' s palace from the borders of the sea. 

The sea-gobhns which had received him at his com- 



268 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

ing awaited him on the shore. One of them took 
Ogier on his back, and the other placing himself under 
Papillon, they spread their broad fins, and in a short 
time traversed the wide space that separates the isle of 
Avalon from France. They landed Ogier on the 
coast of Languedoc, and then plunged into the sea and 
disappeared. 

Ogier remounted OU' Papillon, who carried him 
across the kingdom almost as fast as he had passed the 
sea. He arrived under the walls of Paris, which he 
would scarcely have recognized if the high towers of St. 
Genevieve had not caught his eye. He went straight 
to the palace of Charlemagne, which seemed to him 
to have been entirely rebuilt. His surprise was ex- 
treme, and increased still more on finding that he 
understood with difficulty the language of the guards 
and attendants in replying to his questions ; and seeing 
them smile as they tried to explain to one another the 
language in which he addressed them. Presently the 
attention of some of the barons who were going to 
court was attracted to the scene, and Ogier, who rec- 
ognized the badges of their rank, addressed them, and 
inquired if the Dukes Namo and Salomon were still 
residing at the Emperor's court. At this question the 
barons looked at one another in amazement ; and one 
of the eldest said to the rest, ^^ How much this knight 
resembles the portrait of my grand-uncle, Ogier the 
Dane." ^^ Ah ! my dear nephew, I am Ogier the 
Dane," said he ; and he remembered that Morgana 
had told him that he was little aware of the flight of 
time during his abode with her. 

The barons, more astonished than ever, concluded 
to conduct him to the monarch who then reigned, the 
great Hugh Capet. 



OGIER, THE DANE. 269 

The brave Ogier entered the palace without hesita- 
tion ; but when^ on reaching the royal hall, the barons 
directed him to make his obeisance to the King of 
France, he was astonished to see a man of short stature 
and large head, whose air, nevertheless, was noble and 
martial, seated upon the throne on which he had so 
often seen Charlemagne, the tallest and handsomest 
sovereign of his time. 

Ogier recounted his adventures with simplicity and 
unaiFectedness. Hugh Capet was slow to believe him ; 
but Ogier recalled so many proofs and circumstances, 
that at last he was forced to recognize the aged war- 
rior to be the famous Ogier the Dane. 

The king informed Ogier of the events which had 
taken place during his long absence ; that the Une of 
Charlemagne was extinct ; that a new dynasty had 
commenced ; that the old enemies of the kingdom, the 
Saracens, were still troublesome ; and that at that very 
time an army of those miscreants was besieging the city 
of Chartres, to which he was about to repair in a few 
days to its relief. Ogier, always inflamed with the 
love of glory, offered the service of his arm, which the 
illustrious monarch accepted graciously, and conducted 
him to the queen. The astonishment of Ogier w^as 
redoubled when he saw the new ornaments and head- 
dresses of the ladies ; still, the beautifiil hair which 
they built up on their foreheads, and the feathers inter- 
woven, which waved with so much grace, gave them 
a noble air that delighted him. His admiration in- 
creased when, instead of the old Empress Bertha, he 
saw a young queen who combined a majestic mien with 
the graces of her time of life, and manners candid and 
charming, suited to attach all hearts. Ogier saluted 
the youthful queen with a respect so profound that 



2/0 LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE. 

many of the courtiers took him for a foreigner, or at 
least for some nobleman brought up at a distance from 
Paris, who retained the manners of what they called 
the old court. 

When the queen was informed by her husband that 
it was the celebrated Ogier the Dane whom he pre- 
sented to her, whose memorable exploits she had often 
read in the chronicles of antiquity, her surprise was 
extreme, which was increased when she remarked the 
dignity of his address, the animation and even the 
youthfulness of his countenance. This queen had too 
much intelligence to believe hastily ; proof alone could 
compel her assent ; and she asked him many questions 
about the old court of Charlemagne, and received such 
instructive and appropriate answers as removed every 
doubt. It is to the corrections which Ogier was at 
that time enabled to make to the popular narratives of 
his exploits that we are indebted for the perfect accu- 
racy and trustworthiness of all the details of our own 
history. 

King Hugh Capet, having received that same even- 
ing couriers from the inhabitants of Chartres, informing 
him that they were hard pressed by the besiegers, 
resolved to hasten with Ogier to their rehef. 

Ogier terminated this affair as expeditiously as he 
had so often done others. The Saracens having dared 
to offer battle, he bore the Oriflamme through the 
thickest of their ranks ; Papillon, breathing fire from his 
nostrils, threw them into disorder, and Cortana, wielded 
by his invincible arm, soon finished their overthrow. 

The king, victorious over the Saracens, led back the 
Danish hero to Paris, where the deliverer of France 
received the honors due to his valor. Ogier continued 
some time at the court, detained by the favor of the 



OGIER, THE DANE. 27 1 

king and queen ; but erelong he had the pain to wit- 
ness the death of the king.- Then it was that, im- 
pressed with all the perfections which he had discerned 
in the queen, he could not withhold the tender homage 
of the offer of his hand. The queen would perhaps 
have accepted it, she had even called a meeting of her 
great barons to deliberate on the proposition, when, 
the day before the meeting was to be held, at the 
moment when Ogier was kneeling at her feet, she per- 
ceived a crown of gold which an invisible hand had 
placed on his brow, and in an instant a cloud enveloped 
Ogier, and he disappeared forever from her sight. It 
was Morgana, the fairy, whose jealousy was awakened 
at what she beheld, who now resumed her power, and 
took him away to dwell with her in the island of Ava- * 
Ion. There, in company with the great King Arthur 
of Britain, he still lives, and when his illustrious friend 
shall return to resume his . ancient reign he will doubt- 
less return with him, and share his triumph. 

THE END. 



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